1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140 
Razzamataz
Page 62
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Most people who went to the Earls Court Commercial Motor Show agreed that it was a good, bright exhibition with plenty of interest. It was with some interest, then, that my reporter set off last week for the press day of the car show at dear old EC. With the motor industry (well, the car industry at least) beset with so many warnings of doom and gloom he expected some really sharp showmanship.
Well, the car show is certainly bright, he reports, and press day was not without its traditional gang of dolly birds. Although the days of a high "nipple count" seem past now,
Of many parts
It has become topical to talk of lights being visible at the end of tunnels, so let me pitch in with my own little glimmer, gleaned at the excellent A. E. Edmunds Walker Motor Show party. The feeling there was that the dire shortage of truck parts is slowly but surely being conquered, and that by the spring of next year the situation will be much better.
The expansion of components production is just beginning to overtake the demand, and most of the experts I spoke to seemed convinced that we were experiencing a freak peak demand just now, exaggerated by operators' stockpiling and a fair amount of doubleand treble-ordering as a hedge against shortages.
The shortage of foundry capacity is pretty well worldwide, but even if castings were more readily available the situation has not been helped by such situations as the Wellworthy piston factory on the South Coast being several hundred men short, so that costly machines stand idle.
Genuine article
I was intrigued at the AE party to meet a man who introduced himself as "a spurious spares manufacturer". He was, of course, being ironic. The things he makes are built to a higher spec (and cost more) than the "manufacturer" parts he is replacing. How does he beat the chassis maker at his own game? By offering a 24-hour service to factors 365 days a year and by selling hard on quality through outlets with whom his men have established personal contact and trust.
He told me that he had been approached a little while back by one of the chassis manufacturers who is there were plenty of unclad females on show, he says. Top marks in the publicity stakes, though, seemed to go to the hardpressed BMW organization which had a full-sized show band belting out pop numbers all day. Several other car makers recruited leggy girl lecturers to spout about the delights of their particular model.
All this is in big contrast to the truck show where, one always feels, the vehicles are what people come to see — and, more important to buy. Cars is cars, but trucks is business seems a suitable assessment.
now making such a fuss about "spurious" spares. and invited to supply his components to go into their trade-marked boxes. He turned it down only because they were insisting on exclusive supply, at the expense of all his other sales outlets. Having turned it down, he is now, of course, a non-approved maker likely to run foul of any legal restraint on "non-manufacturer" spares.
A rum world.
Rewarding recovery
I'm told by D. Richardson, md of Richardson's Transport (Rugeley) Ltd that they're offering £150 reward for information leading to the recovery of a 40ft M & G tandemaxled platform trailer removed from a Manchester trailer park on the night of October 14. A 1971 model, painted red, it has the chassis number 5217.
Keep your eyes peeled; it might be worth it.
Corked
The problems which owners of new cars sometimes face are almost legendary these days. One of the nicest stories I have heard recently concerns a PR man from Leyland's truck and bus division. After attending the Paris motor show he went on for three days holiday — and honeymoon — to the Loire valley. Not only did he have his bride on his arm but a spanking new MGB to boot.
Once in the land of the mine, the car began to misfire and, eventually, to backfire. One expldsion was so violent that a core plug came out of the block. Fortunately, a garage was near at hand but the French mechanics had some difficulty finding out what had gone wrong. Eventually, after much Gallic shrugging and the aid of a mirror, the problem was diagnosed. And the solution? Well, what else than the use of a champagne cork well wired in. This typically French solution lasted my friend well and he was able to complete his tour of the chateaux without further mishap.
Ladies' night
I had thought that last week's RHA conference at Plymouth was going to come up with an answer to a question which has been exercising my mind for some time. Is there a place for women in transport? From what I hear, this was more of a fun session than a serious business discussion. I gather the delegates spent their time talking about female drivers and mechanics, but that one or two did mention the more exceptional transport women. like Miss Walker of East Anglia. now Lady Hail of Leicester, who apparently everybody. with the possible exception of lain Sherriff, seemed to know. Of course, today's transport women, Mrs Cropper and Mrs Perkin, were there to argue the feminine case.
While it seems from the general discussion that women might find a very good role in transport, I think that the comment from Hammy Young of the Southern area was possibly the best male contribution. I believe he said: "There is a Crying need amongst transport men today for good overnight accommodation and good food and this is a role that women should fill." However, the fact that they are good enough for other roles cannot be doubted after the contribution from the youngest woman present. Alisa Gains, who said: "I don't think either sex or age are important. It's a case of getting on with the job and doing it properly."
Lead boots awa'
I came across a very useful handbook this week issued by Bedford and entitled The TM driver's companion. It gives dozens of useful hints to drivers covering everything from the instrument panel layout to tips on wheel changing. It would be nice to think that it would be widely read by drivers of the new TM breed, but I suspect like their predecessors it will be a case of jump in, switch on and get the foot down. Still you never know, perhaps the appeal on 1:oge 1 will bring results. It says "To obtain the best service from your vehicle, you should always try to play the game — drive with care and carry out regular routine checks."