From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Correspondence page from 'The Autocar' magazine featuring letters from readers on various motoring subjects.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 160\5\ scan0046 | |
| Date | 22th November 1940 | |
| November 22nd, 1940 The Autocar 537 Correspondence tion of design and performance during the intervening years. If this is the explanation—and there seems no reason to doubt the logic of the argument—then a substantial percentage of cars find their way to breakers’ yards not because they are incapable of running many more thousands of miles, or would be uneconomical to repair, but due, primarily, to their having been superseded by more modern types. Here, then, is a source of waste which should be stopped forthwith. It is not suggested that vehicles should be reclaimed if there is likely to be any doubt of their roadworthiness. But if really serviceable cars are redeemed and, if necessary, suitably repaired by welding or other means, such action would have a stabilising effect upon the second-hand car market in the future. C. W. BRETT, Managing Director, London, W.C.1. Barimar, Ltd. I do, therefore, feel a twinge of jealousy of some of my fellow-readers of The Autocar who are able to pick up cheap 3- and 4½-litre Bentleys at “junk yards,” and so on, for £5 to £10. Should any of your readers know of anything in this region (Dorset), I should be most happy to hear from them! H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} SCOTTISH TOURING Farthest West by Car on the British Mainland [49861.]—Referring to Mr. C. Douglas Drysdale’s letter [49823], I have not been out to Ardnamurchan Point, but, had the war not intervened, I had planned a Scottish tour for this year which was to have included a visit of several days to that district, with headquarters probably at Strontian, on Loch Sunart. The nearest I have been to that district was during a previous tour, when I stayed at Glenfinnan on the Mallaig road and did some climbing in the mountains on the north side of Loch Shiel, which give splendid views over the Ardnamurchan side and also northwards towards Morar. When the war is over I hope to be able to carry out my plans for this tour, as I have always wanted to go to Ardgour and visit one of the few areas in the Western Highlands which I have not yet been able to see. ALEX. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} LOBEL. London, W.2. MENAI BRIDGE Active Consideration Given by the Ministry of Transport to Remaining Restrictions [49859.]—I enclose a copy of the reply I have received from the Ministry of Transport regarding the restriction on weight and the walking of bus passengers over the Menai bridge. It is encouraging to note that this will be amended at an early date. We are grateful to the Minister of Transport for giving this matter his attention. This will bring to an end the humbug and inconvenience that existed here. Lorries and furniture removers from long distances had to unload if the gross weight exceeded 4¼ tons; this had to be done on many occasions in the rain. Many had to hire extra vehicles, all of which caused delays and additional expense. Cattle had to be unloaded and walked over the bridge, sometimes late at night. The authorities were very strict to enforce the observance of the weight restrictions. Bus passengers will be pleased to learn that the days of walking over the bridge are now drawing to an end. This will be a great change for all of us in this part of the country. WILLIAM JONES. Llanfair P.G., Anglesey. Organiser of the Motorists’ Petition. [The following is a copy of the letter Mr. Jones has received from the Ministry of Transport.—ED.{J. L. Edwards}] MENAI BRIDGE I am directed by the Minister of Transport to thank you for your letter of October 15th concerning the use of the above bridge by bus passengers, and to state that the modification or revocation of the Regulations governing the use by traffic of the bridge is under active consideration. It is hoped that it will be possible to relax the existing restrictions at a very early date. (Signed) F.{Mr Friese} WALKER. Ministry of Transport, London, W.C.2. IMPROVING M.P.G. The Balance Between Performance and Economy [49862.]—Recently I acquired a 1939 Singer 10 fitted with a Solex Type 26 G.F.H. self-starter assembly 22. In standard form the setting is: Choke tube 23 mm.; main jet 105; air bleed jet 1.6; pilot jet 55; starting air jet 3.5 mm.; starting petrol jet 125. The performance with this setting was very good, but was far from economical. I have reduced the main jet to 100 and the pilot jet to 50. This has considerably reduced the performance but without effecting any great economy, as I can only obtain 30 m.p.g. with difficulty. I have been careful to keep my speed down to about 40 m.p.h. and have been expecting at least 35 m.p.g. Any help will be much appreciated. J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} A.{Mr Adams} LAMOND. Glasgow, S.4. “TALKING OF SPORTS CARS” Thoroughbred Machines and Their Drivers [49860.]—I have been following with great appreciation the letters from Mr. Forrest Lycett and Mr. C. W. P. Hampton. Having made the acquaintance of Mr. Hampton’s Bugatti on two occasions on the Great North Road, I can assure Mr. Lycett that that car can travel! So also, however, can the 8-litre Bentley, and I am sure that other readers, having witnessed the sterling performance of Mr. Lycett’s car at Lewes and elsewhere, will have the utmost admiration for a thoroughbred machine and a driver who knows his Bentley. Let us look forward to the day when we may again witness the splendid feats of skill performed by these wonderful machines and their drivers. I am at present a member of the Senior Service and am stationed in a “non-sports car county.” ROAD OBSTRUCTIONS AT NIGHT Experimental Removal of Islands in U.S.A. Which Failed [49863.]—Shortly after the last war, when I was in Detroit, I noticed that they had pedestrian safety zones, as they were called, particularly for people waiting for street cars. The safety zone, which, of course, was in the middle of the road, was surrounded by cone-shaped metal discs which had a diameter of approximately eighteen inches at their base and went to a height of about six inches. However, the authorities found that this was not offering sufficient protection for the pedestrians and substituted steel railings. Mr. P. W. Barker’s contention in his letter [49850] is undoubtedly correct, and particularly are these islands of great danger on country roads, where there are scarcely any pedestrians at all. As an example, I can quote the East Lancashire Road, which is about thirty miles long, avoiding all towns, and with dozens of these dangerous islands, all of which have been damaged at some time or another, resulting in very serious accidents. STANLEY B. REECE. Liverpool. BOOKS for MOTORISTS Issued in conjunction with “THE AUTOCAR” Net Price. By Post. The Autocar Guide for the “L” Driver … 1/- … 1/2 Look After Your Car... … … 2/6 … 2/9 The Motor Vehicle … … … 10/6 … 11/1 Know Your Car … … … 1/6 … 1/8 The Autocar Handbook … … 2/6 … 2/11 Motor Driving Made Easy … … 2/6 … 2/10 More Sketches by Casque … … 2/- … 2/3 Automobile Electrical Equipment... … 10/6 … 11/1 The Modern Diesel … … … 3/6 … 3/11 The Autocar Register … … … 3/- … 3/3 By P. M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Heldt, U.S.A.: High Speed Combustion Engines … 42/- … 42/7 Motor Vehicles and Tractors … … 42/- … 42/7 Fuels and Carburettors … … 18/- … 18/7 High Speed Diesel Engines … … 27/- … 27/7 Full particulars of any of the above books will be sent on application. Obtainable from Leading Booksellers and Railway Bookstalls or direct (remittance with order) from ILIFFE & SONS LTD., Dorset House, Stamford Street, London, S.E.1. A 23 | ||