Auto Gossip

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30447, 22 May 1964, Page 11

Auto Gossip

by

A. J. P.

"Speedsters" How offensively—and incorrectly—we label a section. of our traffic offenders. It is becoming common to refer to. them as “speedsters,” when in fact their offence is “exceeding 30 miles an hour,” or, in other words, breaking the speed limit. The term “speedster” carries with it aconnotation of recklessness' that is often quite unjustified. Surely it is wrong td. label the person detected travelling at *35 miles an hour on a straight, lightly-trafficked road without intersections a “speedster,” even though he or she may be exceeding the 30 miles an hour limit. Stock Some time ago a warning was given in this column about the dangers of stock wandering on the roads, and the dangers of farmers driving stock carelessly on main roads. Since then there have been several accidents in Canterbury caused by stock on the roads, some of them involving quite serious injury. Still, authority seems disinclined to do much about it.. The situation can be improved, and it is time it was. How serious an acci-. dent must we have before something is done? Both Sides Of course animals can sometimes escape in spite of a farmer’s best efforts, and it is important to remember there are two sides to the question. But there are some parts of the country, the Summit road for one, where it is far too common to see wandering stock both by day and night. It is also too common to see farmers driving sheep or cattle from a car. The motorist has a right to some warning of a flock of sheep hidden in the next dip or around the next corner. Rara Avis A Minerva; a rare par on New Zealand roads, has been parked in the square several times recently. It is a mag-

dwarfs the modern vehicles around it and always attracts a crowd Of- admirers. The car is in a- battered state, but it appears from areas of undercoat that some effort is being made to preserve it, and certainly a model like this should be preserved. Shockers “Your shocking paragraph in Autogossip reminded me of my own static experience,” a reader writes. “Very dry conditions combined with a Hillman Husky (hardly a slideable seat) and rubbersoled shoes produced fine sparks and volted nerves. “It was a triumphant self that found out about shutting the door with the elbow—until, as a potential customer for fish and chips, I leant on a metal-topped counter. “I am now down to earth in leather-soled shoes, much more sensible than wearing an anti-static strap.” Supermin

An American has fitted a Cadillac engine in a Mini, and

named the result a “Minilac.” Not surprisingly, much cutting and strengthening was necessary to make the engine fit, but the owner claims the re-, suit can reach 140 miles an hour and cover a standing quarter-mile in 12 seconds, as compared with 20 seconds or more for most cars. There have been no reports received as to handling, braking, or fuel consumption. Quote of the Week “The Silverstone formula one race was disappointing as I was in a fairly secure fourth place when all the wheel weights on the right front Wheel flung themselves off, and with the wheel well and truly out of balance I could hardly control the car. The vibration was so bad I was lifting myself out of the seat to focus my eyes, so I decided to call it a day while I still had fillings in my teeth.’’—Bruce McLaren on the reasons for his retirement at Silverstone.