Matters of moment cont., January 1975
Miniatures News
The race for ever-more-ingenuity in the miniatures field has been advanced another step by Meccano Ltd., who have introduced a firing multi-shot gun to their replica of a Jaguar-powered Scorpion tank. Firing several shots from its turret without reloading, this 1/40th-scale model costs £1.50 and the reference no. is 690. The turret rotates through a full 360 degrees and there are flexible tracks and, another “first”, camouflage netting for concealing the Scorpion. On the car front Dinky have a third model in their new big 1/25th-scale miniatures. This is a Ford Capri rally car, which may well appeal to rally crews as well as youngsters with Christmas present money to spend. It has a
rear spoiler, louvred rear-window panel, identification numbers and advertising decals, as well as the other detail we have come to expect from modern miniatures. Finished in red, with black vinyl-effect roof and black anti-dazzle bonnet and panels, this is No. 2214 in this new range and it sells at a recommended £3.95.–W.B.
“Model Engineer” Exhibition
This year’s Model Engineer Exhibition, which includes model cars and miniature i.e. engines, opened at Seymour Hall, London, WI, on December 31st. It remains open (Sunday excluded) to January 11th, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., or to 7 p.m. on the last Saturday. Admission costs 35p per adult, 20p per child, inclusive of VAT.—W.B.
Armaglaze
Unfortunately for the Motor Sport telephonist, who has been inundated with calls, we omitted from the article about the Armaglaze car protection process in the December issue an address to which readers could send their inquiries. This is: Endrust Auto-Truck Rustproofing Co. Ltd., Endrust Motoring Centre, Tyburn Road, Erdington, Birmingham B24 9PD (021 373 8161). London readers could ring one of the Alan Pond group of companies direct: they have 25 Armaglazing centres in and around the City.—C.R.
Glemser (no, not Quester) Retires
The caption writer (me) mixed up his Dieters on page 1307 of the December issue. The “typical tail-end tussle” involved Ashley, Quester, not Glemser, and Hill. Dieter Glemser has never raced in a Grand Prix, nor driven the Surtees, as the writer knew and our apologies to him and Dieter Quester. This office coffee does terrible things to the mind! However, this writer denies responsibility for “Henry” Pescarolo on page 1330 of the same issue. Sorry Henri. On a more serious note, Dieter Glemser has announced his retirement following a tragic accident during practice for the Macau Grand Prix in which his Group 2 Zakspeed Escort RS ploughed into the almost totally unprotected crowd when a tyre burst. A small girl subsequently died of her injuries. The Ford Cologne works driver was the current German national touring car Champion (in an Escort) and won the 1971 European Touring Car Championship for Ford, to whom he has been contracted since 1970. Thirty-five
year-old Glemser had driven for Mercedes, Porsche and BMW before joining Ford. For Mercedes he rallied as well as raced, impressive results including wins in the Polish, Acropolis, Portuguese and German rallies. One of his best racing successes for Mercedes was winning the Nurburgring 6-hour race in a 300SL with Eugen Bohringer.—C.R.
Total Economy Drive ’75
This year’s Total Economy Drive (née Mobil Economy Run) will move back to the roads of Britain again after the temporary move to Brands Hatch during last year’s fuel crisis. The event will cover 950 miles through England and Wales from March 22nd to 25th. As at Brands Hatch, the Economy Drive is open to both standard and modified cars to “demonstrate the relative fuel economy of production models and encourage modifications to increase economy”. Regulations are obtainable from the Secretary of the Meeting, Mr. Pat Stevens, The Coach House, Sandhurst Lodge, Crowthorne, Berks and entries close on January Ilth.—C.R.
Avon “Motor” Tour of Britain
Avon Rubber and Motor magazine have joined forces again to sponsor the third Tour of Britain, which this year will be run from Friday, August 1st, to Sunday, August 3rd to avoid proximity to the British GP and other big events. Once again the event will be based on the Birmingham Post House, the BRSCC is the organising club and the organising committee informs us that: “Most competitors (last year) felt that the balance between racing and rallying was just about right, so we are hoping to increase the length of the races and find rather more testing special stages.” Regulations can be obtained from Miss Anne Bradshaw, at the BRSCC, Empire House, Chiswick High Road, London W4.—C.R.
Mend that Hose
The latest of the multifarious products from Holts is the Hoseweld Bandage, an emergency repair kit for burst radiator hoses. We have not had the occasion to use this product yet, but are reassured by its presence in the glovelocker. It consists of a self-adhesive bandage, from which a protective strip has to be peeled, and plastic straps for added security. No doubt it will find its way into the toolkits of many rally drivers as well as ordinary motorists. It costs 45p exclusive of VAT.
—C.R.