Yankee Not All Dandy

Sir,

I have enjoyed over the last several months reading the woes of motorists caught with their “pedal to the metal” by unmarked police cars, the lack of service or parts On new autos, and now “foreign versus British” from Mr. Brownridge.

Yankee ingenuity, Japanese manufacturing ability, and even good old Uncle Sam have combined forces to create a device (citizens band radio) that almost neutralises the effectiveness of the “bears in the bushes” (police cars hiding off the road), “picture takers” (radar) and, “plain wrappers” (unmarked cars), and “spies in the sky” (police airplanes with radar). In addition to all of that, it also allows you on some occasions to miss “parking lots” (traffic jams) caused by accidents or the thousands of traffic lights that otherwise try to slow movement down over here.

As for the service on new ears, the English do not have a corner on all of the problems as I have now waited for over one year just for the spare tire (American made and therefore not a tyre) for my Pontiac “Belchfire”. It took eighteen trips returning a Plymouth to the dealer to make it run properly and to have all of the pieces added that were ordered with it. Another friend of mine told me that it was “normal” according to a Ford service department to use one quart of oil every thousand miles in a new car. That was shortly before the engine was replaced, etc., etc., etc.

Concerning “foreign” cars (for you or for us), I was in England during a ten day rain storm in February. I had the good fortune at that time to have a Renault 12TL to use. Since it rained at least part of every day, the windscreen wipers and demisters were very vital to the operation of the vehicle. The Renault system worked beautifully, even keeping the side windows clean. While driving we noticed a number of cars, mostly English ones, that were considerably fogged up Inside, including one that was so completely fogged that he almost hit me. Hurrah for the French! The demister in my Big Healey never had a chance to work but I find it does not matter since I have not had the top (hood) on it in eight years.

Each country must have its own joys of motoring. Ours is the 55 m.p.h. limit that is still with us three cheers for CB radio!

W. WHITMAN BALL