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That was the year...
Page 19
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CM was launched in 1905; for our centenary year we're bringing you stories from years gone by. This week we're back in 1917 and 1967.
THE GREAT WAR continues; the USA finally notices following the sinking of the Lusaania, breaks off diplomatic relations with Germany and introduces conscription.The Russian Revolution begins with the overthrow and murder of the Tsar and his family. The royal family changes its surname from Saxe-CoburgGotha to Windsor to sound more English. Bob Birdseye begins to develop freezing as a way of preserving food.
A real gas
Alternative fuels were a key topic in CM as hauliers struggled to cope with fuel shortages and rising prices. We campaigned for the use of compressed coal gas, which was cheaper than petrol — and free in some areas. Operators found coal gas performed better than anyone had dared hope.
Good hearts
By 1917 readers had raised £20,000 for the CM Comforts Fund for the Army Service Corps,sendingTommies everything from driving gloves and bootlaces to footballs, socks, toothbrushes, soap and stationery. Other items included "want cards" in phonetic French, vests and first aid supplies.
Economy rules
Cost tables made their first appearance in CM, giving operators a better idea of total cost per mile.The main reason for publishing them was to encourage operators to ensure their vehicles were kept fully occupied, particularly as there was a real difficulty in obtaining new chassis.The tables calculated that a 25-cwt van doing 25 miles a day would have a cost per mile of about 10d. CHRISTIAN BARNARD performs the first human heart transplant; the recipient lives for 18 days, The Torrey Canyon runs aground off the Cornish coast,spilling more than 119,000 tones of oil into the sea. Donald Campbell dies attempting to break the water speed record at Coniston Water.
Under attack
Britain's truck operators were being targeted in a series of roadside blitzes concentrating on drivers' records, with Ministry of Transport anxious to catch drivers who were working round the clock, and "unscrupulous employers who encourage them to do so". Anyone stopped was given a road safety message signed by Transport Minister Barbara Castle.
Buses banned?
The Tories said they would ban buses from the congested heart of London if they won the Greater London Council election. They promised a 43-mile monorail which would cover all the current bus routes. It would take live years to build and would rest on pillars no bigger than traffic islands.
Cars on test
In 1967, the fleet car appraisal was a key part of CM'sroadtest programme.We tested the Vauxhall Viva among others, which had a starting price of £579, rising to £708 for the luxury, highpowered deluxe model.We'd also driven the Morris 1800 and Triumph 1300; the latter, at £835, being "one of the more expensive cars in terms of £ per cubic feet of body", but money well spent, we opined. The Morris had the worst fuel consumption, at 20.8mpg, while the Vauxhall managed 33.1mpg.