She says ...

Press, 30 August 1979, Page 11

She says ...

The world shortage of fuel, which I think we all now realise is likely to be with us a long time, is inevitably going to mean changes in the design of cars. Already in this country there has been a big swing against largerengined cars and those with the reputation of using a lot of petrol.

Some of this has been over-reaction: fuel con-

sumption isn’t the only thing to consider, and small or less powerful cars are not suitable for everyone’s purpose. But at least some of the reaction against thirsty cars will undoubtedly — and justifiably — remain. I can’t help but wonder if some of the models of many years ago, when the cost of fuel (relative to people’s incomes) made economy a virtue, would not be welcomed today. A classi example, I think, is the remarkable “shark-nosed” French Citroen of years ago. Many of these durable cars are still on New Zealand roads, and, in some respects, they are almost as far ahead of their time today as they were when first announced about 20 years ago. A big and comfortable car with an excellent ride, the Citroens are also remarkably thrifty for their size and speed, in spite of an engine design that is basically an old one. If the model were announced today at the right price — ample room, adjustable-height hydraulic suspension, disc brakes, aerodynamic lines, low fuel consumption, good cruising speed, good boot space — I think the queues would form. As long as the bogey of such cars, ridiculously inflated spare-parts prices, was put to rest.

There are other cars in the same category. I’m sure, although I suspect the Citroen is the most outstanding example. But how about some of the other larger-bodied 2-litre “fours,” with good “slogging” engines that still remained reasonably economical? It can be carried too far, for a big car with a small engine can be very heavy on fuel, as well as strained to the point of unreliability, mechanics tell me. Just the same, we may be able to gain something by remembering the experience gained in some of the designs of the past. —Barbara Petre.