More happy Herald owners

Sir,

May I join your correspondent, Miss Grieve, in the lions’ den? I, too, am a roost satisfied Herald owner of six months and nearly 7,000 miles. Like her I have had no experience of leaks whatsoever, nor have I had any trouble with body components loosening. My tool-kit has, in fact, remained untouched.

I should like to endorse all she says in the car’s favour and much of what she says against it, but I find both dip and main beam very good and the fuel gauge (mine is a twin-carb. model) fairly accurate. My chief complaint, however, is the layout of the controls on the facia; it was most unfortunate that all the knobs fell out of the pepper-pot in such a haphazard manner! Interchanging of the air distributor and light controls, the screenwiper and booster fan switches, brings the heat and ventilation control to the left of the panel, the light master switch next to the column dip control (surely this is the right way up?), and the wiper and washer together on the right of the steering column.

Yes, I would have no other small car, except perhaps a Herald 1200, and if I have as little trouble the next 7,000 miles we may become a “two Herald family.”

I am, Yours, etc.,

Norwich. – Roger I. Baber.

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Sir,

Three loud cheers for Miss Grieve! If, as she anticipates, she has her head chopped off it will be by those who are ignorant or prejudiced (or both). When I got my Herald I was used to sports cars, and had owned a TR for six years and before that an S.S.100. I was severely shaken by the Herald’s cornering power. Where the TR had bounced round a corner with some drama and a good deal of squeal, the Herald went round faster, as though on rails. Without doubt this is, to my mind, a very excellent little car. My passengers remark not only on its comfort but also on its safe feeling. “It’s so stable. Makes you feel very confident.” I’m surprised Miss Grieve did not mention luggage. Mine swallows an almost unbelievable amount.

As to performance, if one has the necessary cash (and as cars go it’s not expensive), a visit to Jack Brabham (Motors) Ltd. will put this right. A Climax engine makes this into a most amusing car. Can anyone think of a car which combines so many qualities as the Herald-Climax, and which isn’t at least double the price?

Without doubt this car is, for sheer fun, the best I have ever driven (including a brief spell in an Aston DB2).

I am, Yours, etc.

Englefield Green. – M. Brettell.