The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
? The big weekend quiz
Who invented the first pneumatic tyre – in Stonehaven? And when did electric cars outsell petrol/diesel ones? Grampian Transport Museum sets this week’s questions
Nestling in the heart of the Donside village of Alford, Aberdeenshire, the Grampian Transport Museum (GTM) is one of the north-east’s leading visitor attractions.
Operating as a self-funding charity, it is an Accredited Museum with a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence. The museum covers all forms of public and private land transport from the past, the present and the future – from foot and horse-powered through steam, internal combustion and electric propulsion, including the history of road and rail; heritage skills and crafts; models and memorabilia.
The museum has an important role in education and there is so much to learn and enjoy. This quiz will test your own knowledge of just some of the subjects it covers, so have some fun with your family and friends, then check your answers to see how you did.
If you want to learn more you can visit the website at gtm.org.uk or head to Alford soon and see it all for yourself.
1. When it opened in 1906, the Argyll car factory was the second largest car manufacturer in the world, with only Ford’s Detroit facility producing more. Where was the Argyll factory?
A. Govan
B. Yoker
C. Alexandria
2. For many years, Land Rovers had a large round hole in the rear cross member. What was the purpose of the hole?
A. Provide a secure location to fasten a tow rope
B. Enable the fitment of a power take off (PTO)
C. Reduce the unladen weight of the vehicle to bring it into a lower taxation class
3. Albion manufactured cars, trucks and bus chassis in Scotland, and its site is still in use manufacturing axles and transmission components. Where is it located?
A. Scotstoun
B. Linwood
C. Bathgate
4. The hydrogen-powered bus on display at GTM used fuel cells to produce the electricity to power it. What were its tailpipe emissions?
A. Hydrogen
B. Nitrogen dioxide
C. Steam
5. One of the museum’s most colourful exhibits is the Outspan Orange, but what running gear was it built on?
A. Volkswagen Beetle B. Mini City
C. Hillman Imp
6. A number of Guy Martin’s private collection of vehicles are on display at GTM including his land speed recordbreaking bicycle. It features special gearing to enable high speeds which is called what?
A. Compound gearing
B. Epicyclic multiplier
C. Triple derailleur
7. If you were a Mod in the 1960s and ’70s, what would you be most likely to ride?
A. Vespa
B. Triumph
C. Yamaha
8. GTM’s shop stocks products made from fabric featuring the seat patterns from rail and bus companies, but which is the best-selling range?
A. iPhone cases
B. Toilet bags
C. Cushions
9. British Leyland established a number of manufacturing divisions in an attempt to rationalise its manufacturing and product range. Among the groupings was Truck & Bus, Special Products and SD. What did SD stand for?
A. Saloon Division B. Saloon Department C. Specialist Division
10. GTM’s shop stocks a range of GTM branded items including torches, tea towels, pencils, erasers, water bottles, teddy bears and insulated coffee mugs. Which do you think is the best seller? A. Pencil
B. Teddy bear
C. Tea towel
11. A Wood and Pickett Mini that belonged to Cilla Black is on display at GTM. What was the singer’s greatest hit? A. Anyone Who Had A Heart
B. You’re My World
C. Step Inside Love
12. The designer of the Lotus Elan, Ron Hickman, is also famous for designing another well-known product, which is it? A. The folding ironing board
B. The pressure cooker
C. The Black and Decker Workmate
13. In which year did Stirling Moss and navigator Denis Jenkinson (DSJ) win the Mille Miglia Race in record time for Mercedes-Benz?
A. 1953
B. 1955
C. 1957
14. For which F1 team was David Coulthard driving when he retired? A. Red Bull
B. McLaren
C. Williams
15. GTM’s Sentinel steam wagon is the only surviving Scottish built Sentinel. Who built it?
A. Argyll and Bute Ltd
B. Alley & MacLellan Ltd C. Albion & United Ltd
16. What sort of vehicle is the Ford Ecostar on display at GTM?
A. The Mobil Economy rally winner
B. An environmental development prototype
C. An electric post van
17. Meccano, Dinky and Hornby were all the brainchild of one man. Who was he?
A. Dinky Souter
B. Mike Meccano
C. Frank Hornby
18. The well-known slot racing cars are produced by?
A. Scalectrix
B. Scalextric
C. Scalectrics
19. Who invented Cats’ Eyes? A. Percy Shaw
B. James Herriot
C. Pussy Galore
20. Which of these pioneering women in motoring was born in Aberdeen?
A. Muriel Thompson
B. Miss Dorothy Levitt
C. Mrs Jessie Philip
21. The Bedford Dormobile on display at GTM was originally won in a competition run by?
A. Grampian Television
B. The Caravan and Camping Club C. The Press and Journal
22. What did the museum’s Austin K9 lorry carry in its day?
A. Dogs
B. Troops
C. Whisky
23. Which BMC car pioneered “Hydrolastic” fluid suspension? A. Mini
B. 1100
C. 1800
24. When a coach is described as “four in hand” what does it have?
A. Four seats
B. Four doors
C. Four horses
25. Which Scottish car manufacturer produced the “Dogcart” in 1896?
A. Argyll
B. Arrol-Johnston
C. Albion
26. What was the world’s first selfpropelled passenger-carrying vehicle?
A. Stephenson’s “Rocket” steam train B. Trevithick’s London Steam Carriage C. Benz’s Patent-Motorwagen
27. What is the name of the static steam engine often seen running at the museum?
A. The Braemar
B. The Birkhall
C. The Balmoral
28. The “Mack” snow plough at the museum had a former life, what was it originally?
A. A timber log hauler
B. A shipyard slipway winch truck C. A tank recovery vehicle
29. What year did electric cars first outsell petrol/diesel cars?
A.
B.
C.
30. Which famous Stonehaven resident invented the pneumatic tyre?
A. Charles Henri Michelin
B. Joey Dunlop
C. Robert William Thomson