STEAM CARS

STEAM CARS

Sir,

Thank you very much indeed for” being quite fair and publishing Mr. Howarth’s views in full.” May I state that the views expressed are not only mine, but also those of many thousands of others.

Existing Steam Cars. Your leader in June issue entitled “Excitement Over Steamers” was the reason for and object of my letter of July 28th, but I hope soon to be in a position to convince you that “existing steam cars are ” (ftore than)” a match for the better petrol cars on the divers counts by which motor cars are judged.” ” 30/98 ” Vauxhall. I en!oyecl many years’ friendship and close association with Vauxhall’s managing director and chief designer of earlier days, and the first ” 30/98 ” was actually built for, and at the request of another personal friend. I have the very greatest admiration for all “30/98s,” even to the extent of saluting every one I see, but have no recollection of the best performance of this famous car. I do know, however, that in 1906 a Stanley Steam Car, driven

by Marriott, officially acheived 121 m.p.h.

E.R.A. I also have a very great admiration for this car, but find it quite “easy to visualise a 14 cwt. steam car able to at least equal the performance of an E.R.A. in a 200 mile race.” The necessary power is an accomplished fact, and suitable light alloys ; correct weight distribution and tyre adhesion, the media. Vested In/crests. It is remarkable how the “vested interests ” bogy crops up whenever steam cars are mentioned, but it might be very dangerous for such interests to interfere unduly in matters closely affecting the country’s wellbeing and security, because of the very grave danger of the matter becoming wholly political. Just as malignant growths necessitate the surgeon’s scalpel, so might ” vested interests ” necessitate similar drastic action, such as ifis a *ergo, or even vi et armis ; but why,

why, need vested interests interfere ? It is not even suggested that B.C. power should eliminate, or oust, I.C. and C.I. power. Futility, or ” Pride goeth before a fall.” I have much too much admiration for “The Aeroplane” as a journal, and especially for its quite fearless policy of criticism sine ira et studio, to regard it

as”futile,” I merely stated that its reference to modern ” flash ” steam power as “kettle boiling” was futile, just as MOTOR SPORT was equally futile in reiterating that statement, and concluding with a “wish to know how acceleration and speed figures would compare with those of, say, the 4+-litre Bentley or Phantom III Rolls-Royce (the two most expensive cars made in this country), cars which are Stearn-Like and possessed of high performance.” I hope that persual of” The Aeroplane” issue of the 22nd instant, page 351, “Steam-Driven Aeroplanes,” will convince you that you were somewhat hasty in stating that “Finally, we are at least proud to share our futility with so respected a journal as ” The Aeroplane.” The last paragraph of this article is just what one would expect from this journal, viz.—fair and reasonable comment, in fact, comment sine ira et studio, and very

nearly approaching enthusiasm! There is very much more behind “The Aeroplane’s” voile-face than the mere words convey.

May I hope that you will accept my comment sine ira et studio ? I am, Yours etc.,

G. J. A. HOWARTH.

Manchester.