VETERAN CARS

Southland Times, Issue 23444, 26 February 1938, Page 18

VETERAN CARS

Probably the most remarkable thing about the world's motor industry is that about one-half of all the cars and trucks ever built are in use today. In itself, this is a wonderful tribute to metallurgists and those who built the machines. In addition, the development of the system of making provision for spare parts has gone far towards extending the useful life of motor-cars. The amazing rapidity with which motor road transport has spread throughout the world is revealed by the fact that 20 years ago, there were only about 4,000,000 cars and commercial vehicles in use, now there are over ten times as many in service. In the last ten years, Great Britain has alone produced 3,135,912 new cars and trucks, while the output of the U.S.A, motor industry, during the last decade, has reached colossal dimensions, 42,054,240, units having been made. Today, any purchaser of a new car or motor-truck can look forward with confidence to about ten years’ service from the vehicle if it is decently driven and cared for, while as regards tyre upkeep, the weftless cord tyres of today have a surprisingly long life—about four times those of 12 years ago; and they are only about half the price.