A Presentation VW

65-year-old Mrs. Radclyffe of Ramsdell, near Newbury, Berkshire, was presented on behalf of VW Motors Ltd. by Lord Brabazon of Tara with a Volkswagen saloon, the 50,000th to be imported into the United Kingdom. Her late husband, Colonel Radclyffe, Royal Tank Corps, a regular officer, was the British officer in charge of the bomb damaged Volkswagen plant until September 1949, when it was handed over to the Federal German Government. Professor Dr. Nordholf, the Managing Director of the Volkswagen Company worked under Colonel Radclyffe, whose capability earned the admiration not only of the troops under his command but also of the German population of Wolfsburg, where the plant was the sole source of employment – perhaps it is because they remember their then-dependence on VW that the workers still turn out cars impeccably finished and reliable to a degree which, alas, seem to be becoming a rare attribute of British cars of comparable price.

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Issue No. 38 of ” What’s New,” official organ of Abbott Laboratories Ltd., contains a long article by William Boddy on ” Dr. John Dudley Benjafield, Racing Motorist,” which is illustrated with three fine pictures of vintage Bentley cars, one being a tine colour print of ” Old No. 7 ” 3-litre before the 1926 Le Mans race, from a painting by Peter Battersby. This is a full-page illustration, intended as a subject suitable for framing in a doctor’s surgery or waiting-room. But it will appeal to a great many of our non-medical readers also. Copies of “What’s New ” can be obtained by sending a letter or post-card, mentioning MOTOR SPORT, to Mr. A. H. I. Lonie, Abbott Laboratories Ltd., 8, Baker Street, London, W. 1.

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Total in England

Following the invasion of the German Jet petrol stations, the French Total organisation are establishing petrol stations throughout Great Britain, With a main depot in Fulham. Stations at Bagshot, Bushey Heath, Salford, Beeston, and Longhill are already in operation, and the Total sign so familiar to tourists in France will be extended throughout the Country.

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On Safari

The East African Safari will be run again this year from March 31st to April 3rd on similar lines to previous rallies except that it will now conform with other International rallies in being divided into Capacity classes, and a Price performance index will be introduced as a supplementary award on the formula of ” Minutes late plus 17 x Nairobi retail price minus 215,” which will give an interesting comparison between the classes.

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The Mercedes-Benz Club has now acquired Club-room facilities at Whitehall Court, London, S.W. 1.

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Exide have produced a giant torch which will throw a beam of 650 ft. Known as the 5CP20, the torch is 14 1/2 in. long and has a head of 3 1/4 in. diameter. It costs 17s. 6d. without batteries, and uses five Drydex T.20 batteries which cost 7d. each.

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Laycock de Normanville overdrive units are now being manufactured under licence in Italy. The Ferrari 250GT and 400 Super America are available with the Laycock overdrive.

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The Renault Dauphine is now available with four-speed gearbox at only £9 18s. 4d. extra, making the total price for the four-speed car £699 10s. 10di.