Cars in Pawn

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22350, 22 February 1936, Page 37 (Supplement)

Cars in Pawn

As a result of the financial crisis in France the number of motor-cars pawned with the Municipal Pawnshop of Paris increased from 894 in 1934 to 1793 in 1935. The municipal garage, which was built a few years ago to store motor-cars in pawn is now proving insufficient, and a new garage is under consideration, capable of holding more than 1000 cars. More than five million francs have been lent on motor-cars.

the advantage that was gained in the flashing start. Petrol is wasted and brake linings are worn. Driving the car as fast as it can be driven in the lower gears is another extravagance. Although it may give one a certain amount of satisfaction to roar through the gears, outstripping the other fellow, one must pay for the experience. ' The driver who wants economy should shift into second gear at 10 miles an hour, and into top at 25 miles an hour. Actual tests have shown a saving of up to a third of a cup of petrol on a single start. How often does one hear the driver making his engine roar in a series of quick bursts, in the way that dirt track riders test the engines of their motorcycles for pick-up? This practice floods the combustion chamber with petrol. It is not only wasteful, but it is harmful to the engine. It dilutes the lubricating oil and may cause scored cylinder walls and a host of other serious complaints. The car of to-day will go almost anywhere on top gear, yet the gear lever is handled a surprisingly large number of times, because of traffic checks, business calls, and so on. Every start means setting in motion a ton or more of dead