Struan 1961 - Adm.monash.edu

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1J..IoWTOaU\! AU~~D C~R1. THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN CONTEM·PLATING BUYING A SECONDHAND CAR.(a) Can you afford a car?(b ) Make sure you know what type of car youwish to buy. For example, if your means are limited,it would be stupid to buy a big car.(c) Having decided on the class of car you canafford, look around at the prices of the variousmakes in this class. For example, if you want asmall car, find out the prices of representativemakes.You will find these in the Classified Advertisementsection of newspapers, used car price lists publishedby motor magazines, car yards. Also consult the"Yellow Book" of market prices which dealerspossess.It is important that you have a good idea of themarket price of the type of car you want, for thisprotects you against extortionist dealers.(d) It is almost impossible to get a genuinebargain. Generally speaking the price of a caris only what it is worth. If a car is abnormallycheap, be wary and suspicious, because there is agood chance that something serious will be amisswith the car.(e) The person who is selling you the car, whethera dealer or a private citizen, is trying to makemoney on the transaction. Therefore, be suspiciousand question all grandiose statements.(f) Make sure that you have approximately £40£50 left after purchasing the car. This financialbackstop is essential, because after buying yourPage SixteenFC SPECIAL SE1959. One owner£125 Dep., £5FE SPEC. STA'l1958. One owner£125 Dep., £5 jFE SPECIAL SEI1958. One owner£125 Dep., £4F3 SPECIAL SED1956. One owner£120 Dtp., £4-"'''lIAI. SE '......by Rod laconcar you will most find it necessary to pay forsuch things as:0) Minor repairs (such as tyres).(2) Registration.(3) Commitments other than the car.(g) Owning a car is a constant drain on one'sfinances and a perpetual source of worry.(h ) Do not buy a car from a friend. If you havetrouble with it, the friendship may be strained.2. WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING THECAR.NOTE: Take along an expert if possible.(a) Tyres:(i) Is there plenty of tread on all?(Ii) Are they worn evenly?(iii) Are the walls cracked?(Iv) Are they retreads?(b) Wheels, Bearings and Front Suspension:(i) Place your hand on the top of each wheel incum and endeavour to wobble it sideways. Ifthe front wheels wobble, then either the wheelbearings are worn, or the king-pins are in a similarcondition; both situations being undesirable. Ifthe rear wheels wobble, then the bearings there willbe worn.(li) If the tyres are scuffed or irregularly worn,the front suspension wi! be either worn or outof alignment (or both).STRUAN
(c) Brakes:(i) Although this may cause embarrassment tothe vendor, ask him to take off a brake drum, andsee if there is plent of lining left on the shoe.Make sure the rivets are not near the surface ofthe brake linings.(ii) Examine the hydraulic brake hoses and linesand see if any fluid leaks.(iii) See if the stop-lights work.(iv) If the brake pedal goes nearly to the floorwhen depressed, and will rise only on pumpjng,then either the brakes are out of adpustment orthe linings are badly worn. This is a dangeroussituation as far as road-safety is concerned. Makesure it is rectified.(d) Electrical System:(I) Will th e battery start the car on the startermotor?(ii) Do all lights work?(iii) Have a look under the bonnet and see ifthe high-tension and low-tension leads, and all otherwiring are in good condition.(iv) Do the windscreen wipers work?(e) Engine:(i) Can you see any cracks in the block?(ii) Does the radiator leak?(iii) Is everything ori ginal and in good condition,or have certain componets been "bodgied up" byan amateur?(Iv) Is there a fan belt?(f) Transmission:Check the universial joints for wear.(g) Body:(i) What condition is it in generally?(ii) Look carefully for rust. Modern cars relyon the stresses of the body panels for strength.Rust, if established, therefore weakens a moderncar considerably, and shortens its potential life .(iii) Do all the instruments work?(iv) Do the windows wind up and down satisfactorily?(v) Are the door catches worn? Do they lock?(vi) If the duco looks good, try to ascertainwhether it has been recently repamted, or cut andpolished.(vii) Has the bodywork been repaired frequently?Different shades of paint, particularly on the frontof the car, point to a dent or a body out of alignment.3. ON THE ROAD.(i) Can you hear, any thumps or kno cks from theengine? If so, run down or collapsed bearings maybe the cause.(ii) Does the car perform as well as can beexpected for its size?(iii) Is the clutch action smooth or does it"judder"?(iv) Do the gears change without fuss'!(v) Does the car steer well and accurately?(vi) Does it ride well? If not, worn shock absorbersmay be the culprits.(vii) Does the body ra ttle?EXTRA QUESTIONS.(I) How many previous owners? The moreowners the greater chance of the car being unsatisfactorysince its purchase.STRUAN(II) What has been the occupation of previousowners? Beware of (a ) Commercial traveller'scars, because they probably will have done manymore miles than the speedometer shows, and willlook better than they are intrinsically. By usingheavier oil in the engine, gear-box and differential(to less en noise) by putting in new floor mats (toname but one trick) and by cutting and polishingchalky paintwork-a racked-out car may look quiterespectable.(b ) Ex-taxis for the same reason.(c ) Ex-farmer's cars. Farmers apparently traditionally,seem to be extra hard on machinery. Manyfarmers drive their cars over paddocks and inadvertantlypick up minerals from th e soil(depending on the type of country) which attackthe body-work and rust it through.(III) Don't be gullible. Question everything theseller says.The above points were written by a used-carbuyer who was fortunate in being well-armed withthe knowledge of what to expect when buying asecondhand car.If you wish to buy a car and are not qu ite solucky, these notes of guidance may be some assistance.THE CENTREBrenda Maslen"They're tourists," he muttered, "you can tell bythe sunburn.I sank as low in the Volkswagen as the meat in apastie.Tourists aren't unusual in Alice Springs and it isgood taste to ignore them. I blushed at thiscomment, something my companion never does,having been of the " tourist" class last year.This year I had to bear the scrutiny of tourists.I was regarded as a "local". One girl set out toimpress me."You know, I'm from Melbourne," she said."Really?", I answered. "I'm from Frankston."Coloured people are no novelty in the centre,either. Living with a half caste family I quicklyrealized this.The children of the household in which I stayedhad an amazing sense of humour. I didn't expectto hear stifled giggles as I stood up in my shortsthechair had left a pattern of red marks on the backof my legs. The little children enjoyed scratchingmy skin to see the red streaks arise.Jo-Jo wat ched in fascination as I applied my makeup." Is that to make your cheeks go white?" sheasked. She was an immense help when I did mywashing. No sooner had I hung my clothes on theline than Jo-Jo was stripping the boys of their shirtsand refilling the washing machine.Little brother Terry would be the joy of anymother's heart with his brown skin, fair hair andblue eyes. I was looking forward to meeting Terry.He had promised me a kiss.Page Seventeen
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Page 18 and 19: MILLER IN THE WILDERNESS"The Misfit
Page 22 and 23: He gave me a kick and ran.However,
Page 24 and 25: III -THE YOUNG BOYAh, what a relief
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Page 41 and 42: the snow. Did we have a good time?
Page 43 and 44: Exit Students1961GROUP A2COWELL, Mu

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