The New York Show.

The New York Show.

Students of big-car design always have 4 watchful eye on the New York Show, where the very latest in 90. m.p.h. silent saloons are revealed. The long straights of American roads place a premium on high-cruising speeds, and altogether the art of comfortable main-road motoring has been developed to a remarkable pitch.

The example set by Graham in standardising a supercharged model has been followed by Auburn. For the rest, engine power shows an all-round increase, resulting from raised compression ratios. This, in turn, has been accomplished as a result of .successful research work in M proving combustion chamber design. Independent springing is fighting a level battle in the States. A striking newcomer is the new low-priced Packard, with ‘a unique system affront suspension. Other adherents to the vogue are Studebaker, Chevrolet, and many others. On the other hand Dodge and Plymouth have discarded independent springing in favour of a composite system composed of two

soft semi-elliptic springs working in conjunction With powerful hydraulic shock absorbers and 3 torsion-rod to prevent roll, Many manufacturers have moved the weight forward in their chassis, in order to reduce the amount of overhang, which in some cases has been of almost ludicrous dimensions. Passengers now sit inside the wheelbase, but the designers seem to be getting dangerously near the treacherous Overhang, with its attendant steering difficulties.

Development is otherwise confined to coachwork, Which always plays a prominent part in the American scramble for sales. No wide departures from current practice were noticed last month, but the bonnet-course has received unusual treatment at the hands of many manufacturers. General Motors are responsible for a new phrase—the ” Turret Top “—in other words all-steel saloon bodies in which the roof is built integral with the rest of the body.• This, in conjunction with rigid body mounting, results in definitely onepiece motor cars. European design was represented by

exhibits of S.S. Bugatti and M.G. cars. The latter in the form of a ” P ” Midget, attracted a great deal of praise.

Racing Down Under.

On January 5th, a new speedway was opened at Gloucester Park, Auckland, by

the Governor-General. An immense crowd turned up to watch the sport, and were delighted to see a single-seater Austin, in the hands of G. Smith, walk away with most of the races on the card. Actually, Smith wen the Championship event, the open handicap (an unusual event ! Ed.), and was second in the 1,500 c.c. scratch race. The Austin was competing against much heavier metal, including a Miller. In Australia a 300-mile race was decided at Cowes. Here the honour went to M.G., the driver being Murphy. Second place was taken by a Riley Imp, driven by

J. W. Williamson. Unfortunately, a Serious accident took place during the race, resulting in the loss of two lives. G. Graham overturned his M.G. and both he and his mechanic, J. Peters, were killed.