Hi Group. We just got in last night from a week in Germany, and a week
in England. Thought I would pass on some car related stuff to the group.
In Germany, the Autobahns, except in the cities, do not have speed
limits. The manners of the drivers are superb. When someone passes,
they signal, signal again after passing, and then pull back into the
right lane. As you come onto the Autobahn, you signal with your left
signal, the oncoming traffic moves to the next left lane, giving you
room to pull onto the Autobahn, regardless of whether you are a fast car
or slow truck.
People in the US, need to learn how to drive this way.
The far left lane is used by the fastest cars, and I do mean fast.
Mercedes, Audi's, and Porsche's are normally seen traveling 120 mph to
140 mph and faster all the time. I had an Audi 1.8 L Turbo Diesel
rental, kept in the far right lane at 80 mph, and watching in the rear
view mirror, could see these cars coming in the distance, and watch them
literally fly by.
I felt very comfortable with the traffic, as the manners of the drivers
was outstanding. If you go, get a good map, as the roads are marked,
but they use a different system and logic of signage in Germany. I
lived there 40 years ago, and it was with fond memories that I enjoyed
it again.
BTW, the new and exotic cars you read about in the mags, are all over
the place, and I mean the expensive ones. I have a 95 SL500, and saw
more in Germany in one week than in the last 5 years here in the
Washington DC area.
The body styles of the cars in Europe are really neat, very aerodynamic,
and 95% of these cars are not imported here to the US. Prices of cars
are about the same as in the US for Mercedes. Gas prices in Germany is
about $4.50 / gallon. I found this interesting, as going 120 mph still
eats up lots of gas. The mode of travel in Europe is by train or car,
and less so by air, so fast cars are a way of life there.
While going to the Mercedes Factory, we were in heavy traffic because of
road construction near Stuttgart, and the car in front stopped quickly,
I stopped OK, but the 80 + year old woman in a Rover did not and hit us
in the rear. Police came quickly, in very heavy traffic, approximately
20 minutes, spoke English well, took the info, and we were on our way.
Damage to the Audi was estimated at 8,000 DM, approximately $3,600, car
OK, and we were on our way.
Just before we left, the woman's husband said something to me, and I had
to ask the Policeman twice before he translated. The husband said that
during W.W.II, he was a German prisoner of war, interned in the US. He
said this with a smile, while shaking my hand.
In England, the traffic is on the right of course, and adapting does not
take long. We had a Skoda turbo diesel, made by VW, that had a lot of
power, good mileage, and lots of room. Never heard of the car before,
but would recommend it to anyone for good transportation.
BTW, in case you wondered, we used diesels for their mileage and cheaper
fuel. With their 5 speeds, they get up and go, and certainly keep up
with the traffic.
The main highways are just like the US, with speed limits, but faster
than here. The small roads to the villages are a real treat. They are
small, often with hedges right up to the roads edge, twisty, and when a
big truck comes, you really have to be careful, as there is no where to
go because of the thick hedges that are often 6' to 10' tall.
Round-A-Bouts or circles are common, and you sometimes will see the
testy British ways if you are not in the right lane. Can't blame them.
Last Sunday, they had speed trials on the wide street parallel to the
ocean, in Briton. All sorts of old cars doing their runs. There was a
Tiger there that had lots of interest by the commentators, sounded
great, but aborted, due to, guess what? A broken carb throttle linkage
line. Does that sound familiar to anyone.
About 3 miles from where we were staying, in the little town of
Handcross, in Sussex, we were going to get some milk, and walked by
Verralls Ltd, Specialist in Veteran, Vintage, Classic and Thoroughbred
Motorcycles. The shop had the right smell and look, that even if you did
not know motorcycles, as I don't, you would be interested, in what
essentially looked like a museum, but was a show room for old
motorcycles.
I could not believe that in such a small town, probably 600 yds long,
that they had a shop with such interesting motorcycles. An 1923 Harley
with sidecar in superb condition, Triumphs, Nortons, and others that I
have never heard of.
What caught my eye in the front window was a 1930 Sunbeam motorcycle.
Never knew they made them. Owner was a wealth of info, explaining the
different features, new at the time, of the Sunbeam, its origin as a
bicycle maker into motorcycles, and known for its superb paint and
detail of manufacturing. Just like our cars (sic).
They had 5 Sunbeam examples, 1925 to 1950, all in great shape and
finish, and ready to run, right out of the showroom floor. Their web
site has prices, will give you the flavor of the area, and some pictures
you might find interesting. www.verralls.com.
What they did, was not restore them, but bring them in, tune or repair
them so you could buy one, and take it on the road from the showroom
floor. I have pictures, and when I find a source to get then on the
internet, will do so for your interest. They of course, knew of
Alpines, and Tigers, and regarded the Tiger as a rare car in England.
Too bad we were not there today, as this is a day when old cars travel
in caravan form London to Briton on the old roads. It is reported to be
quite a sight.
Larry
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