AGIN AMERICAN AUTOMOBILES

Sir, Mr. J. Watson states that an Aston .Martin 1)II35 only develops 180 b.h.p. and that in America 210 b.h.p. up is quite normal. But does Mr. J. ‘Watson know that British b.h.p. is different from American blip. ? American b.h.p. is calculated differently from British b.h.p. and is consequently higher than British b.h.p., and also some

American manufacturers calculate the figure with the. engine ” stripped ” of sonic of its components, thus wishing the figure higher still. Also., one. should bear in mind that the Aston Martin 1)1335 has an engine of 2,922 c.c. and develops 180 b.h.p., whereas a Packard Patrician four-door sedan of 5,877 c.c. develops only 212 b.h.p. (American reckoning), which shows that the Aston Martin develops more b.h.p. pet c.c. than an American engine.

Also, in 1955 only 16 American makes of car had engines of over 210 li.h.p. and 55 makes of cars had engines of under 210 b.h.p., which shows that engines of over 210 b.h.p. are very much in the minority even in America. I am, Yours, etc.,

Hounalow. W. A. DixON (age 16). —