THE FIRST MOTOR CAR

Evening Star, Issue 19186, 1 March 1926, Page 10

THE FIRST MOTOR CAR

An old landau, fitted with a primitive gas engine, wheezed its uncertain way across London thirty years ago—in 1896 A man waging a large red flag walked in front, and behind was a jeering crowd of amazed Londoners. It was the first motor vehicle they bad seen.

'The driver. Mr M. E. Collins, of West. Norwood, an accountant by profession hitherto, who'has just taken nut a license to drive a taxicab, tells all about, that memorable journey, and other early pioneering motoring experiences.

“The car came from Belgium. If had only one cylinder, and spoon brakes on the back wheels Although the engine was nominally 8 h.p.. about seven miles an hour was the greatest speed it could attain “To take the car out at all was a great, adventure, tor one never knew if the engine would bring one borne again. Consequently our first journey through Loudon brought shouts of derision by the hundred from the huge mob that followed ; we often blocked the traffic. People had n uretty wit in those days: ‘Has your kettle busted?’ ‘ Put his nosebag on.’ ‘Do von always take that with von walking?’ and other pleasantries enlivening the journey.'’ Tho girls of 'the day were delighted if they were oven ado wed to sit in the car, and to have a drive in it was their greatest possible joy. One memorable June evening a party of girls persuaded Mr Collins to take them to see some friends at Croydon. “All went well,” he said, “and wo drove up in great, style. But coming back the water of the radiator ran out, the engine was soon red hot, and, well, wo finished that trip about 3 o’clock in the morning, a large furniture van, driven-by a derisive driver, towimr us. You can imagine the ignominy!’