Book Reviews, May 1951, May 1951

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Book Reviews

“‘Tan Moron’ YEAR Ram, 1951,” by Laurence Pomeroy, M.S.A.E., and R. L. de Burgh Wallarley. (Temple Press, Ltd., Bowling Green Lane, E.C.1, 216 pp., 12s. 6d.)

Every honest person likes flattery. In our own ease, as each month’s MOTOR SPORT rolls off the presses and the wholesalers call for more than we can print, the Editor fends off congratulations by saying people buy the book for the variety and number of advertisements found in it, which the Advertisement Manager off-sets by saying, “who on earth can want to buy cars these days, anyway ? ” In reality, success is due to the production as a whole. And so it is with The Motor Year Book, which is an annual event to which we have come to look eagerly forward. The beautiful photographs, many data tables, Brockbank cartoons and vivid articles are skilfully blended. This is a book to finger with pleasure, idly turning its big glossy pages, then to read avidly, later to place in the bookcase for frequent reference. The race descriptions and tabulated results are complex but extremely useful, the technical reviews brilliant. The roadtest survey is not quite so outspoken as before and seems to have been somewhat hastily written ; there is some confusion as to whether Pomeroy is referring to the Jupiter or Riley in one sentence. If any .criticism at all is called for, it is that the proofreaders have been a thought Careless, allowing Pomeroy to transfer the Daily Express Production Car Race from SilverstOne to Le Mans, and a captionwriter to invent the driver ” Cortesi.” But, as the authors point out in their introduction, if they set themselves the same standard of accuracy as the motor industry does in manufacturing rejects there would be about 20 mistakes per page! We have found two in 216 pagesand the excellence of production is out

standingly reminiscent of pre-war. No more need be said. * * * ” MOTOR CYCLING’ YEAR Boon, 1951.” (Temple Press Ltd., 186 pp., 7s. ed.)

Smaller than The Motor Year Book, this is of an equally high standard and immensely useful. We used to consider that the motorist unacquainted with Motor-cycling had A hard task before him, to pick up the facts.-this book has altered all that ! The racing and sporting results are very detailed, the photographs of modern racing machines inost attractive and the specifications and prices of production motor-cycles a ready reference. Trials, scrambles, record-breaking, Speedway, touring, technicalities, etc., all get a show. An excellent book. * * * “MODERN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.” (Floyd Clymer Publka(ions, 77 pp., 2 dollars.)

The student of design will value this large-paged, well-illustrated book, covering Packard Oltramatic, Chrysler 111-6, General Motors Hydra-Matic, Studebaker Automatic Drive, Chevrolet Powerglide, Mercury-Ford, Buick Dynaflow, Allison Torque Converter, White Hydro-Torque and Fuller Torque Converter, reprinted from Automotive Industries.

The Nuffield Organisation announces that the price of the M.G. ” TD ” Midget has been increased to £470 plus £131 Os. Id. purchase tax, a total of £601 6s. Id., from April 2nd. Previously the price was £445 plus 2124 7s. 3d. tax, totalling £569 7s. 8d. * *

Ernest Newton and Co., Ltd.,•the wellknown Notwen oil firm, state that Mr. M. Porter, who so ably assisted them in the capacity of Competition Manager, will be leaving on March 31st.

You will no doubt be pleased to know, however, that he is not leaving the racing world, and is taking up an appointment in a similar capacity with the Renold and Coventry Chain Co., Ltd.

Notwen’s competition department, racing activities and advertising for the remainder of this year will be looked after by Mr. John Newton himself, who will be assisted by one or two other enthusiastic members of the staff. * * *

Owing to continued rise in raw material and production costs, it is necessary to increase the retail prices of H.R.G. cars as follows ” 1,100 ” two-seater, £820, plus £228 10s. 7a. purchase tax, making a total of £1,048 10s. 7d. ” 1,500 ” twoseater, £895, plus £249 7s. 3d. purchase tax, making a total of £1,144 7s. 3d. Production has been suspended on the Aerodynamic model. * * *

We have inspected, and been impressed with, a sample of’ an alcohol-resistant pigmented finish for car bodies, prepared by Modem Industrial Finishes, Ltd., Thames Chemical Works, Lower Road, Northfleet, Kent. These finishes resist racing fuels containing methanol, ether, acetone and nitro-benzine, and cost 55s. per gallon, or 70s. in red, primerfiller, stopper, and thinners being available at 32s. ad. per gall., 38. 3d. per lb., and 16s. per gall., respectively. Racing drivers should note that enamel M.F.1299 is racing-green. * * *

Parker’s fast leramr-Nash ” Patience ” now Sports a much-drilled front cross-member and idartilig handle. • • •

Dunham’s Alvis has a 1932 Speed Twenty engine In place of ita former ” 12/70 ” unit. • • •

Lagonda C.C. Night Trial (March l7thil8th) now by Dr. A. ft. L. Abel (navigator Miss Shepherd), driving it ” IOW ” Uncontht, nualo lost. • • •

Jarvis, Ltd., have had to raise the Price of their Morris Minor coupe conversion to 830, special material extra.