DEFECTIVE CAR

Hokitika Guardian, 19 September 1932, Page 1

DEFECTIVE CAR

MAKERS’ SEARCH AFTER' CRASH.. ONE HUNDRED RECALLED. LONDON, Sep. 12. > A dramatic search to recall 100 new motor-dam which it was feared might have been sold with a defect in th© steering gear, capable of causing a fatal accident, has just been completed by one of the leading firms in the industry. This was a sequel to thp discovery by the firm—the makers of a. popular touring car capable of a speed of 80 miles an hour —that one of its 1932 models which had crashed had a badly brazed “collar” on the steering column.'

It wias thought that the ©radii was' probably due to this defect, which was apparently caused , by bad workmanship on the part of one of its huge number of. employees. •. . , ~

It was possibly the only car. turned out by this workman with such a serious defect, hut for the sake of the, firm’s prestige and that of the .whole industry it, wtes immediately decided to trace and . recall every car M the hat’ll which ha;di passed through hr; hands. , - ; > ,

“We have a system of numbering whereby it was possible to do so,” an official of the firm said. “It took a considerable time, as the owners of the care.ayere scattered all over the country. Eventually, however. each was ,traced and was sent a loiter inviting him (or her) to return h : *s model for inspection, and. if necessary to have new-steering gear fitted with a properly ’braced ‘collar.” ,< While tins was being done there was fortunately .no further failure of, the. steering among the hatch of susppcted ears.”- 1 1 '