Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-13
AMERICAN AND BRITISH CARS
English Use Low Horsepower Machines to Avoid Heavy Tax
and Speed Is Limited to 20 Miles Per Hour
on Lefthand Roads,

the larger unit is an important con-
the (American) gallon. So the aver
age British car ranges from 10 to Is
horsepower, with q gas consumption of
one gallon for IS to 80 miles, compared
to the much higher horsepower of the
American machine with its lower fuel
return. But in spite of these handi-
caps, several we'll known American
makes are old favorites in Britain, espe-
cially among people such as rising so
who demand large, imposing car but
cannot afford the price of British
model of such fine appearance.
Other common mechanical differences
include the use of four forward speeds
instead of three, due to the lower power
of the motor and Of magnetic in place
of battery and coil ignition. Four cylin-
ders are still the rule for the cheapest
models, but most manufacturers offer
skies" also for the man who is pre-
pared to pay from 81 200 to $500 for
the advantages which they confer.
Baby Cars" Aid Comics.
The principal development, however,
within the past few years has been the
appearance of babies" These little
cars have been a Godsend to the comic
papers, for they look like overgrown
toys and can be garaged in the hall.
Nevertheless, their tiny horsepower
motors are remarkably efficient and
their bodies can hold three persons with
reasonable comfort. Their speed also is
adequate for British conditions. In a
recent road race two of these midgetS
maintained an average speed of 60
miles for hours. And in ordinary use
their consumption of gas is only l gal
Ion to 40 miles.
Americans in Britain may be con-
fused at first by the rules of the road,
for traffiE keeps to the left, which ex-
plains why all British cars have their
steering wheels on the right. Also, the
maximum legal speed limit is 20 miles
an hour, regulation which is honored
more in the breach than the observ-
ance. But, in any event, the high
speeds possible upon the magnificent
straight highways of this country are
impossible upon the winding roads of
Britain, where high hedges and hidden
functions often make a speed Of more
than 80 miles an hour criminally dan
gerous.
Poor" Use Motor Cycles.
Another dificulty for Americans is
the names given various important
parts of the car over there. An auto
Is always a car" or a motor; the
motor is the engine; the hood Is the
bonnet" and the top is the hood;
tenders are wings" and bumpers are
Tenders" And lastly, fuel is always
"petSol" or spirit" instead of gas.
But the real car of the impecunious
Briton is the motor cycle, of which
there are five times as many as in the
United States. A good model costs
about 5000, or $3.50 with sidecar. price
which brings this form of Transports
ton within the reach Of all except the
real poor. So on holidays father tucks
mother baby and lunch into the side
car, lifts Bobby onto the cushioned
carrier behind and pulls his goggles on
over the helmet. Then he climbs into
the saddle, gives the starter kick and
away the whole family roars to sniff the
Inexperienced breezes Of the Sunday
countryside. And when young Bert
asks his girl to ride with him, he means
Just that. For she must mount the
baggage car, clasp her knight firmly
round the middle and speed forth into
the world, hair flying and skirts most
everywhere, blissfully unconscious of
the curses which furious motorists and
scared pedestrians scatter like confetti
in her wake.