Home on the Range
I thought I would helpfully explain a method of how not to run yourself over while repairing your car in New Zealand. I had a problem with the centre differential lock on my 1974 Range Rover. To check its engagement I placed the front right on an axle stand and jacked up the rear right side, with the tyres only just clear of the ground the left side having chocks under the wheels.
The engine was started in first gear allowing the two airborne wheels to spin with all the diffs turning. By placing my boot on the front tyre the wheel could be stopped leaving the back one spinning. I reasoned that if the centre diff engaged, then the boot could not stop one wheel and two would always spin.
I hadn’t noticed the rear jack sagging enough to allow both back wheels to touch ground. Well, a stroked 4.6-litre V8 motor (from a Leyland P76) has enough grip and torque to drive off a jack and axle stand. Unfortunately I had been sitting on the ground so as the car moved forwards, my whole foot was inside of the rear tyre. I had to wait until the rear wheel had run over my other foot before release. The driver-less car was heading towards the driveway gates! My ankle was black for
a couple of weeks, but nothing was broken. Lesson absolutely learned. The car was later stolen and was written off by being driven down the local harbour slipway. My daily driver is now a 1930 Austin Seven. I have even had an 85 year-old lady ask if she could be my girlfriend!
Keep up the good work of promoting cheap fun cars. Paul Grainger, Christchurch,