Auto Gossip

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31238, 9 December 1966, Page 15

Auto Gossip

A.J.P.

by

stress, and between beast and road the deluge encountered the cyclist, whose appearance and general wholesomeness underwent a sudden and drastic change for the worse. There must be a moral in it somewhere. Popular Weapon It is noticeable how the automotive tastes of some of the less responsible and more exhibitionist young drivers around the city change from time to time: observation at present indicates that the battered old V 8 is going out of popularity as an instrument for demonstrating their lack of courtesy, care, skill, and discipline. The current favourite appears to be the Mark 1 Zephyr convertible, and on any day one can see flagrant displays of recklessness and stupidity put on by adolescents in such vehicles. Generally the car has no muffler, a radio aerial about 10ft long, dollies dangling from the rear-vision mirror, a "lunatic fringe” around the rear window (which is plastered with stickers), and the driver tears about with one arm out the window, a “tough guy” expression, and spinning wheels. Impressed, anyone? Governed It was my own fault, really. The car was suffering from a mechanical malaise, and I had to hire a vehicle for a day or two —unfortunately I was in a hurry when I picked it up, and did not inspect it very carefully. Consequently I did not realise it was governed until I tried to accelerate across an intersection; fortunately I was not trying to get out of anyone’s way when the car spluttered and lost power in second gear. Governors can be most dangerous, and I would prefer to see them banned completely. At least drivers should be warned when they are fitted. Perhaps prospective hirers of vehicles would be wise to ask if the vehicles are governed before they hire; if so they can then take their business elsewhere, or ask for an ungoverned vehicle.

Air Polluters Many sheep trucks are on the main roads at this time of the year, and it is staggering to see how many of them have badly-adjusted fuel injectors and constantly belch out vast clouds of evil-smell-ing black fumes, which irritate the eyes and throat, smear windscreens with unburnt fuel, and generally make life thoroughly unpleasant for other road-users. Surely these vehicles could be better maintained, and after all, there are regulations governing the emission of excessive smoke, just as there are regulations against excessive noise. Thank heavens the city’s diesel buses are better maintained. Quote of the Week “ The car is now nicely run in and with all the corners knocked off, so it has a nice round shape,’ he said, referring to the various alterations made to the shape of his Lotus Cortina by intransigent scenery.”—from an interview with Jim Clark conducted by “Autocar” half-way through the R.A.C. rally in Britain.