Sir,

The racy-looking, but not, I think, very fast Continental Road-Equipped Special” seen in the picture on page 72 of the April issue, is called, believe it or not, a ” Poloka-Skol.”

I saw it standing outside the head postoffice in Sheffield, Yorks, some time before September, 1938. It was painted a bright red, and the following few details, I remember, helped by a rough sketch I took of the thing at the time.

Overall height and ground clearance about the same as a 44 Invicta, wheelbase somewhat longer than the shortchassis “100 m.p.h.” job by the same firm. Engine appeared to be a very tame Yankee-looking straight-six or eight side-valve of between 3 and 4 litres.

I concentrated mainly on the driving side, which is the opposite side to that shown in the picture. I am afraid I cannot explain the large air scoop in the side of the bonnet, unless it be to keep the passengers’ legs cool, as there most certainly was no bulkhead between the engine and the “office.” The gauge seen on the scuttle is to record temperature of the oil tank mounted there. Gearchange was by short lever in a visible gate (4-speed), but whether the “swopper” was mounted centrally or outside I forget. Behind the ” office ” came the usual slab tank with spare wheel mounted on it.

Later in the day I saw it motoring out of Sheffield in a south-westerly direction, the exhaust emitting many more phons than the very modest speed allowed.

It is rather a coincidence that I spotted your picture when travelling to Sheffield once again in one of the British railways’ horrible alternative means of transport. I must say MOTOR SPORT is managing to keep up a really excellent standard, the only thing I do not like being the occasional slightly derogatory cracks

. about motor-cycles. Take £80 worth of motor-cycle in the shape of a Tiger ” 100 ” Triumph and see if there’s anything costing under £800 in the 4-wheel world to touch it on acceleration up to 70. Or match a Vincent H.R.D. ” Rapide ” against a ” 2.9 ” Alfa-Romeo for a standing if-mile, and I am afraid the latter would get rather left, for all its eight pots plus “promoter.” I am, Yours, etc.;

ALAN T. SAYERS.