AUSTIN’S PERFORMANCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 16 June 1926, Page 6

AUSTIN’S PERFORMANCE.

640 MILES IN 27} HOURS'

A remarkable endurance test was performed by an Austin Tiger l , car, whidh was driven ever about 040 miles ot hard roads in' approximately 271 hours. . Mr D. C. Crozier junr. drovo the ear throughout the trip, which was practically 11011-stop, and covered the Edsb Coast north from Christchurch returning down the West Coast and the Midland route to tho city. With one passenger, Mr Crozier left Christchurch at 4 p.m. on Friday. Tlie run of 130 miles to Kaikoura was performed in ,1 hours 49 minutes. Arriving at Kaikoura. at 7.49 p.m., Blenheim (99 miles) at 11.5 p.m., the run of about 80 miles, through fog, to Nelson was done by 2.45 a.m. Nelson was left at 3 a.m., Murchison being tho next stopping point. Fog hampered the driver over tho last fifty miles of tho ninety-two-mile stretch, Murchison being reached at '6.25 a.m. The Austin was due in Reef ton at 8.30 a.m., but it did not arrive there till 9.30. There were numbers of slips’ to bo negotiated, and oil ono occasion a big mob of cattle was encountered. In tidying to pass tlio cattle on tlio outside of tlio' road tlio weight of tho car caused the bank to give way, with tho result that the machine tipped oil its I side, tho driver being thrown out. He was not hurt, and with the help of the drovers, the littlo Austin was righted. Greymouth ’ was readied at 11,30. Leaving GrOymouth at 2.16 p.m., Otira was passed at 2.20. The Austin crossed the Otira Gorge ill forty minutes, then forded the Bealcy ulidcr its own power. From Bealcy to Springfield (fifty miles) the road was execrable. At 7 p.m. the travellers reached Springfield, and then, on reaching Waddington, the engine stopped, water having got into the engino while crossing the Kowai river. Nevertheless, tho performance was an outstanding one. 'Hie petrol consumption averaged 45 miles to tho gallon. The times quoted were officially checked. Mr E. O. Henshaw, garage, Evans Street, has just been appointed South Canterbury agent for these superb cars. ...