1905 Motor Show (Crystal Palace)
Held from the 27th January
THE CRYSTAL PALACE MOTOR CAR SHOW.[3]
The exhibition of motor cars which is being held at the Crystal Palace, Sydenham, can scarcely be called truly representative of the British industry to-day, nor does it compare favourably with its predecessors in point of interest. This is to be accounted for to a large extent by the absence of many of the leading makers who have decided to throw in their lot with the exhibition which will be held in a few days' time under the auspices of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) at Olympia.
Amongst pleasure vehicles the greatest attraction of the Show is provided by the Dutch-built Spyker cars, one of which, with a four-cylinder engine, has all four wheels driven by central shafts and gearing. The chief advantage claimed for this system is the prevention of side-slip. The vertical engine is placed in the usual position under a bonnet in the fore part of the vehicle, and transmits power through a clutch and shaft to the change gear box. From this again a shaft runs in each direction to differential gears on both axles, while a third set of differential gearing is necessitated in the gear box to balance the two shafts. Although motorists may be disposed to make very considerable sacrifices in the design of motor mechanism to obviate the dreaded sideslip, it is questionable whether the means adopted by our Dutch friends will prove the ultimate solution of the problem. Too much praise can scarcely be given to the quality of the workmanship put into the Spyker cars. The engines are provided with two systems of ignition, magneto and high-tension coils. The crank shaft runs on ball bearings, and brakes are provided on the hubs of all four road wheels.
Amongst the other pleasure vehicles there is not much that calls for special attention, except, perhaps, the meritorious effort which is being made by some makers to produce serviceable cars at prices which will bring them into more general use.
In this respect the Horley Motor Company, of Horley, Surrey, deserves mention. This firm shows a two-seated car with a 4in. by 5.125in, engine, capable of giving 8 horse-power, three speeds and reverse, ash frame stiffened by steel flitch plates, artillery wheels and pneumatic tires, which can be purchased for 100 guineas. The body is designed to accommodate two passengers. The power is transmitted to a live rear axle by means of a central shaft.
Amongst the few exhibitors of heavy vehicles, the Thames Engineering Works, Greenwich, shows two steam wagons, one of which has been on the roads for some time. The other is entirely new, and its most novel feature lies in the disposition of the engine. This is of the compound horizontal reversing pattern, with cylinders 3.5in, and 6in. diameter by 6in, stroke. The engine is placed transversely beneath the frame of the wagon, and transmits motion to the differential gear on the live rear axle by means of machine-cut spur gearing and central shaft. The boiler is of the locomotive pattern, with about 50 square feet of heating surface; the tubes being 1.625in. diameter by 2ft. 4in. long. The engine is entirely boxed in, but an easily removed aluminium cover gives ready access to its internal parts. When required for an extra spurt, steam can be admitted direct from the boiler to the low-pressure cylinder. A compensating front axle is provided for travelling over uneven road surfaces. The frame is of channel steel and the wheels are of pressed steel, with steel tires. The tare of the wagon is such that it will easily come within the limit imposed by the 1905 Act.
Wallis and Steevens, Limited, Basingstoke, show two steam tractors and a trolley, with which our readers have recently been made acquainted.
Jesse Ellis and Co., Limited, Maidstone, show three vehicles, one of which is a 2-ton delivery van. This has been designed and built with a view to meeting the special requirements of those people to whom speed is of more importance than the weight carried, and where the traffic conditions render the use of the larger vehicles less remunerative. The general design of this van is similar to the standard 5-ton single-frame wagon built by this firm, except the modification in detail of construction necessary to provide for dealing with smaller loads at a greater speed. This van will be found useful to brewers and millers. The van is designed to carry a load of 2 tons at a maximum speed of 10 miles per hour, and will travel up a gradient of 1 in 7 with ease. This firm fits either fire-tube or water-tube boilers, in the heavier wagons the double frame type of vehicle carries the load on the top frame, and the engine and boiler are mounted on an expansion frame connected with the front and hind axles. In the single-frame type the load, also engine, boiler, and gearing, are all carried on one frame, which is fitted with the Stevens spring bar, by which means the springs are so deflected as to keep the frame level, no matter how uneven the ground on which the vehicle happens to be running, thus avoiding the constant stress on the frame owing to twisting. At the same time free motion is permitted between the wagon frame and the driving axle without disturbing the continuity of the turning effort.
In connection with the Exhibition there are being held demonstrations of non-slipping appliances, and a section of specially prepared road surface has been provided in the grounds upon which the various appliances may be tested.