Bird's eye view
Page 44
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by the Hawk * Don't laugh
American supporters of steam power are among the backers of a Californian legal move which has stopped the motor industry in its tracks and taken the grins off the faces of the "it couldn't happen here" brigade.
State Senator Nicholas Petris has introduced a Bill to ban the sale of motor vehicles powered by internal combustion engines from January 1 1975 and on July 25 the Californian Senate passed the measure by 26 votes to 5. It now goes to the Assembly.
Mr. Petris denies that he is lobbying for any particular power source: "I don't care if it's electric, turbine, steam, jet—or rubber band." He just wants to make the motor industry sit up and take notice of the urgent need to eliminate vehicle smog-emission.
* Beauty spot
When one of the shop properties in the business quarter of Wilmslow, that lush residential area in the near-Manchester stockbroker belt, acquired a bow window, lemon-peel door-frame paintwork and cream iron balcony railings, local opinion forecast a superior variety of beauty parlour.
But those who later peeped in the window were able to distinguish copies of Commercial Motor and the Institute of Transport Journal in the reception area. No need of beauty treatment here, for the occupant of the premises proves to be the urbane George Brook, now north west regional chairman of the National Bus Company.
Not so surprising, perhaps. The premises at one time housed a North Western Road Car enquiry office.
* Told you so
We said it on June 2 1967 and again on June 13 1969: "There are still far too few professional transport men in local government circles."
What a pity some of our municipal friends didn't take greater notice—for example, Clackmannan County Council. On August 1 we reported that this local authority had lost the use of two vehicles after appearing before the Scottish LA, who spoke of the council's "deplorable maintenance". In last week's Commercial Motor, Clackmannan County Council advertised for a transport manager, I see. It may be a bit late, but at least this is one council which is doing something about it. There are still plenty of other authorities doing nothing. Can it be that they are waiting for the enforcement officers?
* Multiplication
For much of the quarter-century since its establishment the Institute of Traffic Administration has shown a strong leaning towards the educational side, so its recognition as an examining body by the Road Transport Industry Training Board was no more than appropriate. Secretary Jack Bangay tells me that when the IoTA examinations were inaugurated last year some 50-odd candidates took part. By June 1969 the number had more than doubled, 313 papers being presented at eight different centres, these producing 235 passes and 78 failures.
When I spoke to him last week Jack, who was just summarizing the markings, told me that the indications are that next year the total will again be doubled. Because of this rise in the number of candidates autumn examinations are to be introduced, the first being arranged for December next. Altogether the situation seems a healthy omen for the Institute's silver jubilee year.
* Rally round
The Bank Holiday weekend (August 30— September 1) will be witnessing another traction engine rally, I'm told, run by the Leeds and District club at Harewood House. On the Sunday, historic commercial vehicles will be taking part.
* Real cool
Putting Ford's 6-litre turbocharged truck diesels to use in another element turned out to be a successful venture, I see. The four Fairey Huntsman cruisers with Ford power finished 3rd, 4th, 5th and 12th in the 1,700mile power boat race round Britain sponsored by the Daily Telegraph and BP.
The boats also provided the first team home and Derek Morris's entry was the first diesel boat to finish.
It was no joy ride: at the end of it there wasn't a single Ford team crew member without cuts and bruises. But they're all off again on August 30 in the Cowes-Torquay race.
The twin diesels in each boat were fitted with intercoolers, which use water to cool the air after compression and therefore provide a denser charge entering the cylinders. In this form the power is 164 bhp for continuous running, with a maximum "sprint" output of over 180 bhp at 2,450 rpm.
* All profit
Colleague Ron Cater tells me that after searching for years for a really effortless money-spinner he's found it in a manufacturer's sales literature. To wit: "Other optional extras include Nin.-diameter holes in main frame."
He's now going into business in a big way, offering holes of all diameters at prices well below the makers', and his charges will include postage and packing.
But no guarantees will be given. "Some of the holes get bigger in transit," he explains.
* Getting the bird
Not that life is all honey for him. Motoring to work this week with the windows open he suffered something that I've been halfexpecting with all this sunny open-window driving: a London pigeon crash-landed through his driving window and proceeded to lap the inside of the car at a great rate of knots in a cloud of feathers.
To say that he was surprised would be the understatement of the year. He stopped without clouting anything, and there was the creature sitting in the nearside foot compartment, peering warily at him with one eye, the way birds do.
He gathered up the terrified feathered friend and saw that it was minus most of its tail feathers and so too unstable to fly; and on getting out or the car he saw the cause— a lurking cat with feathers round his mouth. So he kept the bird in the car and handed it into London Zoo for safe keeping as he passed.
Never at a loss, our Ron.