“FIRST ATOMIC CAR”

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23372, 1 December 1945, Page 5

“FIRST ATOMIC CAR”

Said To Be Sabotaged LONDON. November 29. A large crowd, including the Minister of Fuel and Power, Mr F. Shinwell, newsreel vans, more t,han 40 m toring correspondents znrt scientific writers assembled in Smith Square, Westminster, this z'trrnern to witness the trials of what th- inventor. Dr. John Wilson. of Harrow, claimed to be the first atomic car. Dr. Wilson, who is a doctor of science, arrived with the news that the car had been "sabotaged.” He told Mr Shinwell that vital parts had deliberately been smashed, including the copper piping and vacuum equipment. He suspected that the saboteurs were apprehensive of the effect the new car would have on industry. He attributed the damage to persons with a sl&isUr motive. The car was taken from outside Dr. Wuson's office in Regent Street, and was found damaged 500 yards away. Dr. Wilson claimed (hat the car, which was a converted Singer 9, does 1000 miles for the cost of Bd. and travels three times the speed of the ordinary car. Power is derived from heavv water and uranium and a secret chemical which he is not prepared to disclose. Dr. Wilson is aged about 70. After Dr. Wilson announced that the car had been sabotaged. Mr Shinwell immediately called a Press conference at which he said: "I do not want the public to be spoofed. If there is nothing in this invention it should h" exposed. If there is something, then it is our duty to examine it."