The Simplicity of the Modern Motor-car - Cost - Cheap Cars - Points to Consider - The Parts of a

Car Explained nowadays it is a truism to say that nothing in modern invention has made such rapid strides in a decade as the motor-car; but still it is a fact that there is a very large number of people who know nothing of its remarkable simplicity, and to whom every car they meet on the roads is a complicated mass of unstable machinery.

The truth is that there is nothing in the motor-car, as we know it to-day, which cannot be thoroughly understood by anyone with an average amount of common-sense, and anyone who has ridden or driven horses or even the humble bicycle, and who has experience of the King's highways other than pedestrian, can learn to drive a car safely and with a sufficient amount of skill in a few weeks.

Within recent years women have taken up the driving of cars to a very considerable extent, and every year sees increasing numbers of converts to the pastime. In the United States this is more general than at home, hundreds of women driving themselves in the streets of the big cities without escort of any kind. Perhaps we move more slowly in the Old World, but I am convinced that before many years are passed we shall see the production of the small, handy car of the greatest possible simplicity and reliability of mechanism, designed for the use of the busy woman, and that it will become as common to see a woman driving herself about the streets and roads as it is now to see her riding a bicycle.

Elevation of a typical chassis, showing the principal points which should be looked for when choosing a car

The Question of £ s. d.

In the meantime, there is no reason why the average woman should not learn as easily as her husband or brother to choose, drive, and look after a car. Motor-cars are now so well-designed as a general rule, and the attentions they require are so few and simple, that she can buy a good car in the comfortable certainty that it will develop no malady with which she cannot cope during at least a year's hard running, and that, with an annual overhaul carried out by a first-class firm of repairers, this pleasant state of affairs may reasonably be expected to continue for at least five years.

In choosing a motor-car the first considera-

A suitable and convenient car for the woman who drives herself. The hood affords necessary protection and the seat behind will be found useful if a servant is taken tion that presents itself is that of price. The cost of a car comes in reality under two headings - the cost of the chassis (the frame, mechanism, and wheels) and that of the coachwork. As the latter, however, is a very variable quantity, and may range in figure from £20 for a cheap two-seater body to £350 or more for a saloon carriage, I will confine myself for the present to the first-named. A good chassis may be bought at the present time for about £180. This will be of some seven or eight horse power. From this point upwards, the price and horse power increase to something in the region of £1,250 for a 90-horse power machine. For ordinary purposes in the British Isles, however, these latter do not come within the scope of practical politics, nor of this article. For the ordinary member of the public, a maximum price of £700 may be taken, and a minimum, for a sound vehicle, of £180. Between these two extremes can be found a range of the best chassis now made. I append a brief list of the various cars by famous makers which come under this scheme:

There are, of course, many other makes as good, in some instances, as any of the above. But as the latter are representative examples of the modern motor-car as now sold, I have contented myself with this comparatively small list. The preponderance of foreign makes must be attributed to the fact that, although there are several good British productions, we are still, unfortunately, behind France, Italy, and Germany

Buying; a Car

In choosing a car without great previous experience, much care must be exercised and certain broad rules followed. The most satisfactory method is to pay several \; to one or other of the motor shows, here or abroad, and to go carefully over the various points in the polished chassis displayed. For detail work, such as ignition wiring, oil and petrol tubing, etc., a show chassis is not always a reliable guide. Too often makers, in the desire to show as "clean" a piece of work as possible, omit wiring and curtail tubing, and the necessary replac ment of these may make a considerable difference in the " turn-out " of the engine. But, apart from this, a show chassis should be studied with care. Constructional defects or advantages can be better appreciated under these conditions than elsewhere.

In the appended elevation of a typical chassis I have drawn attention to a few of the points to be looked for. . This particular chassis has been designed with a worm-drive, but there is little to choose between this and the ordinary bevel type.

In addition to the points here referred to there are naturally others of equal importance. Accessibility is one of the essentials of a well-designed car. Let the chassis of your choice have its three most vital organs immediately get-at-able - carburetter, magneto, and gear-box. That is to say, the two former should be set high up on the engine, where any adjustments can be made, or, if necessary, the whole fittings themselves removed en bloc, with ease and despatch. The gear-box should be placed well forward in the chassis, so that its cover can be removed for purposes of lubrication or inspection without disturbing anything but a front floor board.

A good large section in tyres should be insisted on, 105 mm. for cars up to 15-horse power and 120 mm. for anything above that up to 30-horse power. Beyond that 135 mm. is necessary; 90 mm. section may be used on light runabouts of 10-horse power or less.

The Choice Of Coachwork

The choice of coachwork is a question upon which opinions are so widely divergent that it is impossible to lay down rules. Prices range from anything over £300 down to £15 or £2.0, accommodation from eight seats to two, and protection from climatic caprice, from the plate glass windowed Pullman saloon, with hand-painted panels, silver toilet sets, and artificial heating apparatus to the exiguous twill hood in conjunction with a glass screen.

In the order of size and seating capacity bodies include the following :

Of carriages with four seats or more, the cabriolet is generally accepted as the best compromise between an open car and one entirely closed. When closed, it is a more satisfactory carriage than a landaulet, though not quite so well lighted as a limousine, and when open its appearance is far better than that of the landaulet.

For the woman who drives, and who wants a handy little carriage in which to take a friend, a suitable type is illustrated. The leather hood gives ample protection against wind and rain, and the dickey seat behind is a useful addition in case it is desirable to take a servant.