The Bogus Ones

The Bogus Ones

That odd vehicle which is being offered as a prize in a Daily Express competition, is described as a “delightful copy of a 1909 Humber”. As it has a V4 1968 Ford engine, automatic transmission, front-wheel brakes, and electric lamps, it is obviously a very bad copy. Fortunately, S. J. Mitchell, who perpetrated it, was only doing what he was required to do, and exhibits his true enthusiasm for proper Edwardians by competing in V.S.C.C. events with his Alfonso Hispana. It is interesting that in this lightweight bogus Humber the Ford engine, according to the Daily Express, contrives to do 38 to 48 m.p.g.

Then, regarding those other bogus ones, the Alan Mann Chittys, over-publicity brought its own downfall, for when one of them exploded and caught fire while taking part in a Road Safety film at S. Farnbridge it scored a mention on the front page of the Daily Express. According to the story, the trouble was caused by fluid leaks in the engine—and, remember, this isn’t a First World War 23-litre Maybach but a modern V6 Ford power unit. The car, valued according to this report at £70,000, will cost £400—the price of a new engine?—to repair. Count Zborowski’s Chittys gave as good, or better, service, 47 years ago !

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Miniatures News

Corgi’s recent new lines include a Land-Rover towing a Rice-Beaufort horsebox and an exceedingly detailed 2 7/8 in.-long Mini Cooper. The former is a Gift Set (No. 15) costing 13s. 6d. The Mini Cooper miniature sells for 7s. 6d. and the reference is Corgi No. 334. With opening roof, opening doors, a bonnet lid which lifts to reveal a dummy engine detailed even to oil-filler and plugs, etc., tip-up seats and a detailed facia, this is a model which should please all Mini fans. Corgi have issued a new catalogue of all their motor miniatures, price 6d. — W. B.

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The Things They Say . . .

“It is ineffably comfortable. A.C. use the phrase ‘to customer’s requirements’—and the front seats show it. They are rich, leathery and ideally adjustable.”—Robert Glenton reporting on the A.C. 428 in the Daily Express. Presumably it had front-seat squabs adjustable while you drive, which certainly wasn’t so on the 428 we examined at Earls Court.

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. . . and the automatic gearbox makes ‘veteran’-type motoring possible for even the newest learner-driver.”—David Benson, reporting in the Daily Express on a replica 1908 Humber (née Mitchell), with modern V4 Ford engine, automatic transmission, and four-wheel-brakes, which answers to the name of “Truly Scrumptious” but which seems anything but scrumptious to us, representing as it does the worst kind of bogus impersonation of the genuine Edwardian car. This one is said to have “an acceleration performance that would be the envy of many a ‘dragster’ “!

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Philips on Tour with Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang

We have received the following, from Philips Electrical Limited :— “A Philips RN582 Cassette Car Radio, which combines a tape cassette player and a high-quality radio in one unit the size of a normal car radio, is being used in the fantastic Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang car now on a five-week country-wide promotion tour prior to the film’s Royal Premiére in London on December 16th. Wherever it goes, the car draws the crowds as music from the sound-track is played on the RN582’s tape cassette player.

“Representing an exciting and major technological achievement in microminiaturisation by Philips engineers, the Cassette Car Radio is probably the most important product to come from the Philips car radio stable for many years and is helping to further increase Philips’ lead in Europe in car entertaining equipment.” — How bogus can you get?