Low-Mileage Car For Sale

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30481, 1 July 1964, Page 6

Low-Mileage Car For Sale

CN.r. Press Assn.—Copyright) SYDNEY, June 29. Mr Tony Cornell, of Sydney, and his New Zealand team-mate, Mr John Harris, were probably the unluckiest competitors in the 7000-mile Australian road trial which ended yesterday. Their entry, a VW 1200, was dogged by bad luck throughout the 14 days. It

has been placed third last on the provisional points score. It lost 3165 points. The disasters they listed at the end of the trial yesterday included four flat tyres, seven smashed windscreens and numerous broken parts. They were bogged once, hit two kangaroos, ran into ditches twice, caught fire twice and ran Into a tree. They were also booked for speeding. Broken or damaged parts included the track rods, the steering box, all headlights, the steering box adjustment,

the kangaroo guard, two spotlights, the sub-frame (broken twice in different places) both front shock absorbers and a wheel bearing. The daily disaster diary compiled during the first 11 days of the trial reads like an extract from an insurance claims register. The entry for the fourth day is typical. It reads:—

“After Coifs harbour we ran into a ditch at Whiporie and smashed all headlights. Had to wait till daybreak to drive into Lismore. No'sleep that night as off again from Lismore at 10.30 a.m. Five miles out of Lismore fire broke out under the dash board (due to short in wiring from broken lights). Two hours lost fixing this. Lost second windscreen.” Both Mr Cornell and Mr Harris were competing in

their first major trial. Both men said they would enter for other trials. When their car was driven to the finishing ramp it bore the sign:—“For sale, low mileage, one owner, immaculate condition, apply within.” Competitors said the trial had not been over-difficult. There were 152 entries in the trial. Five were declared non-starters. Of the 147 starters 101 completed the circuit

Kangaroos were a major hazard on the route, at least 20 cars reported having hit one or more.

The provisional winner is a Victorian, H. Firth, in a Ford Cortina. He lost 21 points Second place is shared by J. and G. Garar, of Sydney (Holden) and B. Ferguson, of Goulburn (Volkswagen 1500) with 25 points lost