COMFORT, economy and excellent all-round performance are outstanding characteristics of the 349 c.c. 1937 Calthorpe.
Careful attention to detail ensures comfort for the rider. The riding position is not cramped and controls are readily accessible. Mudguards are specially designed to prevent both rider and machine becoming spattered with mud, and the fully enclosed overhead valve gear keeps oil leakage from the engine to an absolute minimum.
Steering is remarkably easy with a pronounced self-centring effect which practically does away with the necessity for a steering damper. In fact, so positive is the steering that the machine seems to adjust itself to the right angle with no wavering even on a poor surface. The Calthorpe holds the road exceptionally well and is easily handled at any speed.
Economy is represented by a petrol consumption of 85-100 m.p.g. and the quantity of oil used is almost negligible. Even at high cruising speeds, little effect on petrol and oil consumption was noticed.
The four-speed Burman gear-box gives the Calthorpe marked flexibility on the road and performance in each gear is excellent. Running up from first to third, the maximum speeds are approximately 25, 40 and 50 m.p.h. respectively. In top gear the machine is capable of a good 65 m.p.h. cruising speed ranging up to 60 m.p.h. with comfort. The engine pulls well on any average hill, while third gear will take even stiff hills at a good speed.
The Calthorpe gives a ready response to the throttle and acceleration is good for a 350 c.c. machine. Best results were obtained from 35 m.p.h. upwards, but little criticism could be levelled at the response at lower speeds. In any case the use of the gears ensures a quick getaway from a standing start and at the end of a quarter mile the speed is not much below 60 m.p.h.
Although light, the foot gear change is definite and no difficulty is experienced in selecting the gear. The clutch, also, is positive and smooth in action. The gear pedal is in a good position and easy to find, and the gear box is satisfactorily quiet.
Special attention has been paid to quietness and the silencing system functions remarkably efficiently. Even at high speeds the exhaust note is quite inoffensive and there is almost a total absence of mechanical noise.
The Victorian distributors for Calthorpe's are Disney's Motors, 410 and 326 Elizabeth street, Melbourne.
Australian Cycling & Motor Cycling, July 20, 1937. Trove NLA
