Think you know about cars?

Here are some fascinating (but fairly useless!) facts about motor vehicles which we hope will help raise a smile and add some light-heartedness into your day during this difficult time.

1. Cars were considered a ‘green’ method of transport when they were first invented because horses caused so much pollution with their manure.
2. Norway has stringent rules on advertising cars as ‘green’. They maintain that ‘cars can do nothing good for the environment except less damage than others’.
3. Vehicles are actually one of the most recycled consumer products in the world, despite being labelled as bad for the environment. Over 25 million tons of materials are recycled from old vehicles each year.
4. US President, Lyndon B. Johnson, used to drive guests into a lake in his amphibious car to scare them.
5. The world’s first speeding ticket was issued in 1902. The offending motorist was travelling at 45mph.
6. In Los Angeles, there are more cars than people.
7. If you travelled to the moon by car at an average speed of 60mph, you’d make it in less than a month.
8. It would take over 150 years for a car to drive to the sun.
9. In Churchill, Canada, residents leave their cars unlocked to provide an escape for pedestrians who might encounter polar bears on Main Street.
10. In South Africa, animals have the right of way on roads.
11. The Honda Prelude was the first mass-produced car to have a mechanical 4-wheel steering system.
12. The first car to use a rear-view mirror was driven by inaugural Indy 500 winner Ray Harroun in 1911 to see the cars catching up behind him.
13. More than 4,200,000 Ford Fiesta models have been sold in Britain; it is officially the best-selling car in UK history. In comparison, the total population of the country of Lebanon is only 4,104,000.
14. In Sweden, car headlights have to be on at all times when driving, even in broad daylight.
15. Mrs Bridget Driscoll was the first pedestrian in the UK to be killed by a car. She was hit by a demonstration car travelling at 4mph. She died within minutes of receiving a head injury after stepping into the road in front of it in 1896.
16. A man was issued a $1,000,000 fine for driving at 180mph in Sweden, where speeding tickets are based on income.
17. The United States has almost one car per person (including babies!).
18. Windscreen wipers were invented by a woman.
19. Red cars are not allowed in Shanghai, China.
20. The first car radio was invented in 1929.

 

We hope our blog has achieved the goal of raising a smile or two!

Looking for a trusted, friendly local garage?

We offer car servicing, maintenance and repair for all makes and models of vehicles, including classic and vintage cars. Free collection and delivery can be arranged if you live near our Fleet or Dogmersfield service centres.

Covid-19 Notice:  During this difficult time, and unless we are directed otherwise, it's business as usual at F&H, Hesters Garage, Alfanatic and VW Autos. Please feel reassured that in response to the self-isolation guidelines, and for our customers convenience, we will increase our ability to offer free local collection & delivery whenever possible.