Auto Gossip

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29767, 9 March 1962, Page 11

Auto Gossip

The General Motors Corporation's dollar sales last year were the third highest yet recorded. The 1961 sales of 11.396 m dollars were exceeded only In 1955 and 1960. The 1961 net income was 803 m dollars. Sales in 1960 were 12.736 m dollars and net income was 959 m dollars. Earnings on common stock in 1961 w-ere equivalent to three dollars 11 cents a share, as against three dollars 35 cents a share in 1960. ¥ ¥ ¥

• To provide dealers and distributors in Europe with fac-tory-trained staff in its workshops. the Leyland-Standard-Triumph group is sending a mobile service training unit to visit north European countries. ¥ ¥ ¥

Many British cars, when assembled in the United Kingdom, are now fitted with seatbelt anchorages. but when assembled in Uris country such anchorages are not fitted. The anchorages cost only a few shillings when installed at the factory, and by failing to fit them local assemblers certainly’ do nothing to encourage the use of belts. In manj’ cases the difficulty of putting anchorages in a fully-assembled car is a major factor tn making people decide against fitting belts. ¥ ¥ ¥

The service vehicles which Will be used for Donald Campbell's land speed record attempt In the Bluebird at Lake Eyre will be specially equipped Land-Rovers.

Likely to be offered In Italy soon is a new 1-litre coupe by Ferrari of GT. design and known as the Ferrarina. On display recently at a show there, the small car was about 12ft long and 4ft high. The engine is said to produce nearly 100 b.h.p., and has twin carburettors to feed its four cylinders. Top speed is claimed to be more than 120 miles an hour. * ¥ *

An afterburner-type exhaust gas purifier will be presented to a California pollution board for testing by Joseph Lucas, Ltd. As a move to combat smog, exhaust purifiers will be made compulsory on cars in California as soon as some satisfactory models are available. ¥ ¥ ¥

It is expected that later this month changes in the British Ford range will be announced. Among the changes expected are a considerably altered version of the Consul, and possibly alterations to the Zephyr. The Anglia and the Consul Classic >315) are expected to remain substantially unchanged. Automatic transmissions may be a major option on the larger models, and disc brakes on the front will be more of a standard feature. ¥ ¥ ¥

It Is expected that new Holden models will be announced towards the end of this year. Rumoured changes, apart from body design, include four headlights and possibly optional disc brakes.