FROM THE ARCHIVES:The Motoring Correspondent of
The Irish Timesdrew up this wish list of Christmas presents for his fellow motorists in the early 1950s.
THE PRESENT fantastic level of direct and indirect taxation makes it virtually impossible for that much abused section of the community, the average motorist, to buy those little extras which would make his journeyings more enjoyable. There is a ray of hope on the horizon, however, for, with the approach of Christmas, he may be able to wheedle or badger from his relatives one or two of these little comforters. He might even be fortunate enough to find that his family have left him with a pound or two which he can spend on himself or his car.
It is with these seasonable thoughts in mind that your correspondent has assembled a small list of gadgets and knick-knacks, in the hope that it may catch the eye of someone who has a needy motorist in the family.
Winter driving is in full force now, and first thoughts will go naturally to the many aids for this unpleasant sport which are on the market. Without entering into the higher income bracket one can obtain a demister with which to combat that nasty accompaniment to rainy days. Your correspondent saw a demister and defroster which is worked from the battery and which costs 23s. 6d. It contains two grades of element, so that its action can be stepped-up if desired, and it is attached to the windscreen by suction pads.
There is also on the market a demisting preparation which is sold in tubes at 4s. each. The preparation is rubbed in on the interior of the windscreen and remains effective for about eight days. It was tried out by an independent observer on an extremely steamy kitchen window, and was found to work very well.
Night driving glasses come in all sorts of conditions and prices, and your correspondent could not attempt to pronounce judgment on them all. The worth of these comparatively inexpensive aids to road safety can only be appreciated in use, and they should make a most acceptable present. Insect deflectors should now be proving their ability to deflect mud and, let’s face it, snow.
Extra lamps run a bit expensive these days, even where rich aunts are concerned, but they may be found to be worth the money.
Fog lamps, from whose use may we be spared, run between £4 and £5, and there is a powerful-looking reversing lamp for £2 12s. 6d. Also in the advanced class, but most ingenious, is a combined ashtray, cigarette lighter and dispenser. By pressing a button, a cigarette is released into a tray at the bottom. The tray is then turned, to activate the element, and the cigarette is lighted. The device costs £2 12s. 6d.
A neat, phosphorescent device is obtainable at 2/6 to be attached to the tumbler of the ignition key switch in order to avoid the hopeless fumbling in the dark which precedes the insertion of the key.
http://url.ie/dm82