NEW SKODA 1000 MB

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30632, 24 December 1964, Page 9

NEW SKODA 1000 MB

( INLY recently unveiled • ' overseas is the new Skoda 1000 MB, the first car from this Czechoslovakian factory to have its engine at the rear. Later a sports version is to be announced. The Skoda is a four door four seater, and the engine is a four cylinder, of 998 c.c. The car is 13ft and a half long, and the 45 b.h.p. engine (at 4650 r.p.m.) gives it a top speed of 75 miles an hour. The engine block casting is unusual in being a light alloy Injection moulding, weighing only 231 b

The four-speed gearbox has

Heavy Traffic During the next few days there will be very heavy traffic on the roads all over New Zealand, and in these conditions drivers should realise that it is inevitable that speeds will have to be reduced. Above all, take great care when overtaking, and make sure you do not follow the vehicle ahead too closely. Failure to observe these last two rules is responsible for a very large proportion of the accidents on our roads. Parking When parking to look at beauty spots beside the road, make sure you pull well off the carriageway. In particular, take care not to stop too close to a bend or hill, and he very careful indeed if you are unfortunate enough to have a puncture, and have to change it by the side of the road. This is particularly dangerous at night, and if you have passengers it is a good idea to position one of them behind the car with a torch, to warn oncoming traffic of the hazard. A safety triangle is even better, and do not forget that if you yourself see one of these red reflectorised triangles by the road, there is danger ahead. Children Another danger on the holiday roads is children, and drivers must be particularly careful when passing picnic spots or small settlements. While small children can quickly and easily slip away from the supervision of their parents, some parents do nol exercise the necessary degree of care when they have small children near a main road and it is up to drivers to be continually on their guard. Overloading If you are just starting of on your holiday make sure your car is not too heavily loaded, particularly if a rool rack is being used. An over loaded car can handle in ; dangerous manner and be most unstable, particularly ii

all forward ratios synchronised, and the motor, clutch, gearbox, differential and rear axle form one complete ass mbly at the rear of the car. Suspension is independent all round by coil springs, and drum brakes are fitted. While the car is of monocoque construction, some panels, notably the wings, are “hung” on the shell, and can be unbolted for repair or replacement if damaged.

Included in the cars standard equipment are such items as a heater, “sleeper” seat equipment, screen washers, and a headlamp flasher.

The Skoda plant is at present producing about 200 of the new MB models each day, but before production started test cars covered about three million miles in two years, travelling under all sorts of conditions. A Czech motoring magazine, in testing the MB, has criticised the design of the rear of the car, but praised the improved visibility, seat comfort, and silence. Instruments are said to be well placed, and the handling good in spite of the problems likely to be associated with rear engined designs.