Auto Gossip

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30846, 3 September 1965, Page 13

Auto Gossip

A.J.P.

New Jaguar Jaguar will soon announce a four-seater version of the 4.2-litre‘ E-type. overseas correspondents report. The announcement of the new model has been delayed by recent strikes. Belt Figures Christchurch is fourth on the list for the percentage of cars fitted with seat belts. In March, 15.8 per cent of the cars in New Zealand were fitted, but in ■ Christchurch the figure was only 13.3 per cent. Wellington leads with 23.8 per cent fitted, Dunedin is next with 16.9 per cent, and Hamilton next with 16.8 per cent. Auckland has 12.9 per cent, and New Plymouth 10.3 per cent. Increase The increase since 1962 is very marked. Then Wellington had only 1.8 per cent of its cars fitted with seat belts, Auckland had 1 per cent, Dunedin .7 per cent, and Christchurch 2 per cent. The figures have been rising steadily, although not as rapidly as could be wished. Mufti Officers I Some persons have said (they favour having both pat- | rol cars and traffic officers in

mufti, but I do not think plain-clothes officers would be a good idea. This is because of the possible dangers arising from the inability of the public to identify an officer until he had produced a badge or warrant. Further, it is hard to see the benefit of plainclothes officers. At present, by the time an offender sees the man in the plain car has a uniform, he will be caught anyway. Also the uniform gives added authority. No View Last week I saw in Colombo street the worst example of thoughtless blocking of a windscreen I have encountered. A painter had put a sign advertising his business over the left-hand side of his car’s windscreen, leaving only the right-hand side clear. How he expected to see other traffic when turning right, or at any intersection, 1 do not know. And as for seeing pedestrians stepping on to crossings, or from the side of the road. . . .

Cars Safe Occasionally one hears the view expressed that . . these modern cars just fly apart in an accident, they are not safe ...” This is rubbish. The modern unit construction body is immensely strong, and although it may become very crumpled externally in an accident, it protects the occupants much better than the car bodies of 15 or 20 years ago. Also, the crumpling absorbs much of the shock of a collison. Yet one still hears the view that modern cars are too flimsy. Amber Gamblers The amber gamblers—those who jump the traffic lights on the amber—are increasing in Christchurch. Buses seem particularly prone to ignore the amber or to move off before the lights have changed, but many private motorists are also offending. In some cases it is just carelessness. One car follows the others without watching the lights, which sometimes have turned red by the time the unobservant one has entered the intersection. This and lack of care when turning right is often why we have accidents at intersections controlled by lights. Quote Of The Week “If a person is confident behind the wheel he will have no qualms as to what is going to happen, but if he has no confidence in his driving ability he will be so nervous that he will think himself into causing an accident. Familiarity with the knowledge of •oad safety requirements leads to efficiency in the time of emergency.” From “Road Safety,” the official journal of the Road Safety Council.

rpHE car illustrated above, A Goldenrod, will soon make an attempt on the world land speed record set by Donald Campbell in Bluebird. The car, which has been designed to reach 450 miles an hour, has been built by R. and C. Summers, aged 28 and 29, of California. Campbell’s record, set at Lake Eyre, is 403.1 miles an hour. The Summers brothers will make their record attempt on the Bonneville salt flats within a few weeks. Goldenrod is powered by four Chrysler engines. The car is 32ft long. 48in wide, and very low. The top of the tailfin is only 42in from the ground. The design has been extensively tested in a wind tunnel.

In 1962, Robert. Summers drove a single-engined car at

323 miles an hour, so he has had previous experience of high-speed record breaking. This car was of similar design to Goldenrod.

The engines each produce 600 b.h.p., and are arranged in pairs, the front two driving the front wheels and the rear pair the rear wheels. All four engines turn at the same speed. The £lOO,OOO car has been sponsored by Chrysler, Firestone, Mobil, and Hurst Performance Products.