Behind the Wheel

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22777, 10 July 1937, Page 14 (Supplement)

Behind the Wheel

Brough Car In Otago The manufacturers of \ the worldfamous Brough Superior motor-cycles are. now turning out a hand-made car specially to order. One of these has recently arrived in New Zealand, and it created considerable interest among motoring enthusiasts who inspected it in Central Otago a week ago. Fool-proof Starter New drivers often make the embarassing mistake of pulling out the starter button before turning on their ignition, and then wondering why the engine will not start. On the 1937 Willys they are saved their blushes because the starter can only be operated when the ignition key has been turned on. Instead of being pulled out as is frequently the case on other makes of cars, the starter is pushed in. American Motor Production In spite of recurring strikes in the American motor industry, output of cars and trucks in the first quarter of the year was the second highest for that period in the history of motor manufacturing. Only in 1929 was the output greater. In the first three months of 1937, production amounted to 1,270,000 units, as against 1,546,319 in 1929. and 1,117,172 in 1936. Provided there are no further strikes, the output for the second quarter of the year is expected to reach 1,600,000 units. Germany's Traffic Control There are now 6000 volunteers in Germany prepared to undertake traffic control. They wear a dark uniform and carry staffs resembling those used by German railway guards. They cannot impose a fine but may only note the numbers on the cars breaking regulations and send their reports to the police. Those who break the rules but stop when the controller waves his staff will not be reported; they will receive a printed list of the 12 main road regulations. All users of the road, cyclists and pedestrians included, will be subi'ect to their control. The volunteers lave received general training. ' Italian Road _ Making Since Signor Mussolini began his reconstruction programme in Italy really modern roads have been a feature of that beautiful land. Mussolini has, extended his efforts to the Italian possessions in Northern Africa. Tripoli already possesses fine roads and modern hotels. The latest development is a highway 1177 miles in length along the North African coast, linking Tunis with Egypt. II Duce performed the opening ceremony in May. The road has been under construction for two years, under the direction of Marshal Balbo, the famous airman and Governor of Libya, at a cost of over a million pounds.