Cars to interest everyone

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33033, 28 September 1972, Page 13

Cars to interest everyone

Canterbury Court will be the scene of a full scale International Motor Show with almost every make available to the public on show — and a few that are not available. Supported by the Christchurch branch of the Retail Motor Trade Association and the “Christchurch Star.” the show will have something of interest for people of all ages. For many it will simply be a case of window shopping. even if they had the money, because some of the cars are not for sale. Amongst the cars you won’t be able to buy will be an Italian prototype sports car specially im-

ported for the Show. This is the Pininfarina Abarth 2000 and is the only one of its kind in the world. It has a small two-litre engine yet is capable of speeds up to 180 m.p.h.! For Londoners who dream of the day that may return there is a genuine London cab. But this is a cab with a difference as young Hamilton panelbeater Ken Lovegrove has worked it over a bit. Instead of the trusty Austin diesel motor there is a great Ford VB, instead of the firm leather seats there are reclining racing seats as well as carpets on the floor, lashings of chrome and mag. wheels. The kiddies all love the story of Cindetella and the Motor Show has just what will appeal to them. The

1972 version of Cinderella’s coach. Basically a threewheeled motor-cycle, Cindy Baby has a five foot high orange coloured pumpkin body plushly upholstered in gold nylon velvet. The whole contraption is powered by a Yamaha motor-cycle engine and has a padded seat for the "coachman” high up at the front. On the Toyota stand there will be a most interesting contest conducted nightly throughout the Motor Show. This will be the Toyota Pitstop Contest. Teams of two men or women will compete to see who can change all the wheels and spark plugs and do a few other service jobs in the fastest time. They will be competing, too, for valuable prizes from

Air New Zealand, and Shell, There will be several cars which have not yet been in New Zealand, including three new Mercedes, the “revolutionary” Volkswageh, the K7O, revolutionary because it is frontengined and water-cooled — dramatic departures from normal Volkswagen practice, and the British Leyland Motor Corporation will have some of their new Marinas on view. These will not be released for sale until next month. Archibald’s will be displaying the tremendously successful 4.2 XJ6 Jaguar as well as a bit of German

exotica, the B.M.W. 3.0 S saloon, a Citroen Safari station waggon with its many clever features, and the high performance Triumph saloon, the 2.5P1. Japanese cars will feature prominently in the show with Datsun starring the winner of last year’s East African safari, the Datsun 240 Z, complete with dents and scratches. Datsun will also have the class winning 1200 SSS which did so well in the Benson and Hedges 500 production saloon car race at Pukekohe earlier this month. Another race-winning car on display will be the

RTE 49 Chrysler Charger which Todd Motors have brought over from Australia for the Castrol GTX series of races. Todd’s will have their “bread and butter” lines on show — -Hillmans, Chrvslers and Mitsubishis. The N.Z.B.C. will be operating the theatrette full time with free showing of the latest motoring films and 3ZM will be broadcasting from the show and visitors will be able to see a real live announcer at work. And of course there will be soft drinks and snacks available for the hungry and thirsty.