"All that glitters"

Sir,
The following is a letter I felt obliged to send to Lodge Plugs Ltd.:—

I trust that my experience in connection with the above may be of interest to your Company.

As the not wealthy owner of a not new 3 1/2-litre Jaguar, which had recently been extensively overhauled (including crank re-grind, complete re-bearing, new con-rod assembly, clutch and replacement gearbox), I decided to fit a set of plugs suitable to the occasion. My garage, having carried out the above work, recommended “Golden Lodge” which I at first refused, having heard adverse service reports.

However, I was assured that the unsatisfactory ones had been withdrawn and replaced by “The Plug.” May I quote from the box which contained them:—

“No Fouling and No Servicing, No Pre-Ignition,
Saves Petrol, Lasts far Longer, Immediate Cold Starting”
“Golden Lodge That Never Need Servicing.”

The plugs supplied to me have done less than 1,000 miles and for me will do no more, other than the journey to your factory when they are returned. My car, performing like a diesel, except on the question of economy, has been in the garage on four occasions in the last few weeks seeking an answer to the trouble everywhere but with the plugs. Both my garage and myself are trusting, not to say gullible.

Symptoms were—generally off-tune, ruinous petrol consumption, poor starting, spitting back, performance like a model-T (apologies to Ford) etc., etc. The installation of a vacuum gauge revealed a reading of 13 in. when idling “hot.”

I forced myself to take a petrol consumption check and the first eight gallons gave 106 miles. The second eight gallons was worse at 102 miles. The car was not being driven hard, in deference to the recent repairs, and during this period never exceeded 60 m.p.h. Admittedly, its top speed was probably not much in excess of this figure.

In desperation I removed “The Plugs” and I have never seen such a fouled up mess in a period of motoring which extends over a few years and covers A90, Super Snipe, Jags (3) and a variety of lesser rubbish.

“The Plugs” are now returned to my garage, together with a copy of this letter and a request that they take up the matter with your Company.

In addition to the not inconsiderable outlay (£2 11s. od.) for the plugs, I assess the position as follows:

(a) Weeks of infuriating “motoring.”

(b) Four garage operations (bills to come).

(c) Based on my petrol check, the probable loss of 25 gallons of fuel during the period.

(d) A fifth visit to the garage to re-tune, after fitting conventional plugs. AND (very important)

(e) A lesson learned the hard way!

In conclusion I would state that on fitting “The Plugs” I gave away my old set and so had to rake up six even older ones (four Champion and two standard Lodge). These were cleaned and fitted and the troubles immediately ceased. Pending a re-tune I am still on this miscellaneous collection of plugs and the car is running CHAMPION, as I suspect will be its future fate.

Of the few motorists of my acquaintance who have installed “Golden Lodge” there is a 100% record of dissatisfaction, hence my initial refusal of them. This is surely not good enough.

L.W. Buckley.
Stockton-on-Tees.

[What are the experiences of other users of these new-type sparking-plugs.—Ed.]