Horns

A few weeks ago a demonstration took place in a sound studio of various horns. Some were new, some were old, but the main point was to give a visible proof that the present-day British small car had not got an adequate horn. A microphone set the same distance from the horns gave visual reading on a small dial as each horn was blown.

One amazing fact that emerged was that an average 12-volt horn was as powerful as the electric horn from a popular British small car. An early foot klaxon had alimost twice the power of the smaller one, and this particular model could cruise at 80 m.p.h. on the M 1 with a horn that would have been reasonable on a 40-m.p.h. car pre-1914.

The main point of the demonstration was to show off the wide range of air horns made by FIAMM of Italy and demonstrate the power of this type of wind horn. It would be foolish to try to describe the shattering blast of some horns, and in an enclosed space they sound too loud, but on the M 1 or German autobahn they would penetrate the cab or leather skin of the “mimser” drifting in front of faster cars.

An example of the power and urgency these horns inspire occurred one Sunday recently. A woman driver in a popular family car travelling at about 40 m.p.h. drifted into the fast lane on a dual carriage-way for no apparent reason. A long, earnest blast made the car leap back and sudden evasive action on the part of the faster car was not needed.

Information on these horns and simple fitting instructions are available from Mr. Peter G. Ford, Managing Director of Autocar Marine and Diesel Co. Ltd. (telephone: MACaulay 2491).

M. J. T.