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The Weird World of Wheels
22 June 2007 Don't forget to come back every Friday for your new helping. Got any stories, pictures or videos you think we should feature in the Weird World of Wheels? Send them to us at editorial@autotrader.co.uk. This week:
You can Reliant me From one unbelievable driving story to another. Reliant Robin driver Gordon Maltby was cleared of dangerous driving after police claimed he cut them up at 70mph in his three-wheeler. The possibility of the Cambridgeshire resident Mr Maltby's Reliant travelling at such a high speed with his three passengers onboard was proven to be non-existent.
Officers had claimed they "felt vibration as it sped past."
Mr Maltby said: "The fastest speed I have ever had out of a Robin is 55 to 60mph, and that was on my own."
Expensive immobiliser? Wheel lock? High-end alarm system? It turns out one of the best ways to ensure your car isn’t taken in the US is to have a manual gear stick. When two robbers attempted to steal the car of an employee of Bellacino's Pizzeria in Cobb, Georgia, they found themselves in a stick-y situation. Having taken the owner's keys and expecting a swift getaway, the would-be car thieves were entirely flummoxed by the car's stick-shift and clutch combination. The two eventually ran from the scene - but not quickly enough, as they were arrested by the police, who had been alerted by the pizzeria's staff several minutes earlier. Police officer Wayne Delk said: "It's a bit comical. I guess if you're gonna steal a car, you should probably know how to drive it first."
Generally, anything which distracts you from the road is not good. Using a phone while driving could land you a hefty fine, and eating a snack while driving is definitely not a good idea. But here's a new one – eating spaghetti while at the wheel. Out of a saucepan. While driving with your knees. That's exactly what Dutch lorry driver Martin Veens did on the A55 in North Wales. Police received calls from concerned motorists about a lorry being driven erratically on the road in Northop, and sent a helicopter to investigate. The lorry, loaded with chicken carcasses, was seen straddling white lines as Mr Veens used his left hand to hold the saucepan while using a fork with his right hand, and using his knees to steer the 40-tonne vehicle. The 30-year-old was jailed for two months, banned from driving for a year and has been ordered to take an extended test before driving a heavy goods vehicle again. Weird Pic of the Week: Never mind the bollards
If you’re going to put in some nice new bollards, make sure you can get your van out. Thanks to Rikki Belsham for sending it in, and to Guy Stansfield for taking the photo. Got any photos you think we should feature as Weird Pic of the Week? Send them to us now at editorial@autotrader.co.uk. Video: Going underground Don’t drive your Toyota Prius into a train tunnel. It would be a bad idea. Click the play button below to see for yourself.
Got any stories, pictures or videos you think we should feature in the Weird World of Wheels? Send them to us at editorial@autotrader.co.uk. Missed a previous edition of Weird World of Wheels? Take a look through the archive now. Auto Trader links The Weird World of Wheels: June 15th 2007
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Manual instructions
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