Valley News from Van Nuys, California • Page 23

22-A--Central 12-A--Bur. 12-A--No. Eott 16-A--Eart THI NIWS Van May ONCE HIDEOUT FOR OUTLAW Trip to Vasquez Rocks Rewarding, But Rough By RALPH CONRAD Automotive Editor Tiburcio Vasquez, who often took refuge from the pursuing sheriff among the maze of rocks that now bear his name, was captured in 1875 and duly hanged. For several years-he had played havoc in a wild spree of robbery and murder. Next to Juaquin Murrieta, Vasquez and his band were the most famous desperados In California's history.

It took a most serious effort on the part of the state militia to catch, him, the hideout was that protective. Legend seems to spring up about this type of character and Vasquez is no exception He was a combination outlaw' Robin Hood, according to eome stones. He slept in the San Fernando Mission, the townspeople left him alone and he returned the favor, old timers said There were caves where herds of horses could be driven in and beyond discovery. At any rate, the "good guys" wiped out him and his band Hazards Attractive If the sheriff's cry was, "Go get 'em, men," in those days, there is today on week ends a ahnller and more hair raising cry as a mother will spot her youngster on a peak and scream. "Get down from theie, Charles, before you fall and break your blasted neck 1 For it is a favorite picnic area abounding with children end there are many attractive hazards.

Two years ago Vasquez Rocks became a County Regional Park. At present the roads Inside are tire busters. According to park officials, their improvement is about all that is planned and as much as possible the park will remain in its original state This makes sense The upthrust formations are quite spectacular, the area dry, and whatever foliage there is is of a scrubby ety. It all seems to go together to make a most picturesque setting, well worth seeing. Camping Permitted If you're looking for a short afternoon trip, this one is rewarding, and by getting on the new Antelope Valley Freeway, you can make it in a Jiffy.

After taking the Aqua Dulce turn off and i north, there's a measely seven mile poke to the entrance, where you're relieved of 50 cent per car entrance fee. Picnic grounds are open from 7:30 a.m. to one-half hour before dark. Overnight camping permits are available, 3-day limit. Those in a hurry can make the run back to the Valley A6UA DULCE quickly, same way.

If you have more tune and wish to soak in more, continue from the entrance on Davenport Road on into Acton, a quaint little town worth driving around and gawking at. Soledad Canyon is to the south and west, and should be taken for best scenery on the way back to the Valley. Fury is Stable Car Plymouth is known for its cornering ability, due to its famed tortion bar suspension system. With a Sport Fury Commando convertible as The News motorlog car, we gave it a full test by returning to the Valley by way of Sand Canyon, which twists and turns south to the Bummit and then continues down through Little Tujunga Canyon to the Hansen Dam area With the convertible top down, the driver's angle of vision is close to 359 degrees. But surprisingly, with the top up, there are practically no blind spots.

The large plastic rear window is a great help in this. To sum up, Fury Sport Commando spells fun and action! April Auto Sales Show Good Gains Preliminary sales figures from American automobile manufacturers indicate sizable gains in new car sales for Even though there is constant swinging from side to side on this twister, the Fury showed amazing stability and barely tQted. It seems a vast improvement other svs terns The size of the Plymouth Fury surprises many. A full! automobile in all respects, the extra roominess makes for added comfort The tilting-telescoping steering wheel, combined with the six way adjusting seat should confound the scientists who, it is reported, are making serious studies of the human anat omy to make the car fit all sizes and shapes. Window Great Help There are several engines available in the Fury line.

The log car had the top-powered Commando 440 cubic inch V-8 which develops 365 p. With this power plant you probably could break the legal speed limit in erse, but no sensible person even considers this in this year of politically in-: spired safety studies. ACTON April. Chrysler SAN FERNANDO VAUEY PICTURESQUE SCENERY awaits visitor to Vasquez Rocks. Map shows fast, slower routes from Valley with interesting places to stop, look around.

Corporation reports an rase in. units, April 11-20. A increase for the year was also recorded. Ford Division's combined car and truck sales in the same period were higher than any other comparable period in history, according to company spokesmen. Oldsmobile scored an im- jressive gain in the simi- ar period o-ver a year ago.

Retail sales of Dodge cars jumped in like period, according to wire reports. Pontiac Motor Division reported that its sales during the second 10 daya in Aprii were the highest for this period in the history of the company. Motorists Show Trend Today for Personalized Car The trend to the personalized car has reached its most advanced stage in American automotive history, a General Motors vice president has declared. B. Estes, general manager of Chevrolet, told a news luncheon in connection with opening of the International Automobile Show that "buyer emphasis upon individualized transportation has never been stronger "The personalized car with emphasis upon luxury and sportiness is no fad," Estes said.

"It's here to stay and will continue to be a dominant factor in automotive sales of the future." Estes said American car a offer 375 different passenger car models for 1966 compared to 199 in 1955. SMOOTH LINE FURY convertible is wild contrast to crazy-tilt Vasquez Rocks pattern in background Legendary bandit Tiburcio Vasquez used this area for hideout during four-year blood bath for early settlers and caravan groups. It's Regional Park now and choice picnic area for Valley families. UPS and DOWN IN VAUEY AUTO CIRCLES. IT AL.DICK-IOI Back from quick trips to Hawaii are Jerry Cutter, North Hollywood Ford dealer, and Bldon Mayberry, v.p.

and general manager of Roche's Lincoln Mercury on flourishing Lankershim Blvd. MAY SHOULD prove a big month for Ford dealers in the Valley, with Hugh Johnson Ford in Newhall starting off the grand opening ceremonies the first week end. He will be followed by Holiday Ford -San Fernando on May 13, and Galpin Ford, in Galpin Square on Roscoe Blvd. the next week. MOST FRUSTRATED casaba fan in town last week, was Jim Daly, sales manager of Montgomery Chevrolet-North Hollywood.

A former college cage Btar himself, Jim was finding it very difficult to get a ticket to the Laker playoff gamei. There Is no truth to the rumor that Jim will replace Gene Wiley on the Laker bench next year, according to Laker scout Dan Hardy. TOASTMASTER William M. Ravenscroft, assistant general manager of Pollard- Ravenscroft Chevrolet in Van Nuys, takes over the gavel as president of the Sherman Oaks Wry Toastmaster Club for the first time today. Induction is at a breakfast session at Gorky's restaurant.

JfEW ADDITION to the new car staff at Rancho Chevrolet in Reseda is Jim McNamara. A long-time Valley resident, Jim. worked with another Valley Chevrolet dealer for the past seven years He's active in the Little a and has won the Chevrolet Legion of Leaders sales award for the past few years. XEW SALES manager at Barle Ike's Reseda Dodge (formerly Courtsey Dodge) is Bud Sirak, who worked at the same agency under another, ownership as Used Car Manager. Bud brings many of Valley auto experience with him.

TO BUY or not to buy? -John Studley of Van Nuys MO; tors has a problem. Should hf buy the house his wift has always wanted? Should hn move that close to Art Wilson? Who will win in this exciting drama 7 THE MEN at Century Oldsmobile in Van Nuys have found another use for tht elaborate automobile turntable. Besides displaying the daily special and a email sales pitch, the unique structure is capable of relaying messages to the rest of the street. When Paul Ladin of Wilkins Pontiac was preparing for his long awaited cruise, the sign read "Good-bye Paul." They even had tear drops falling from the structure. CONGRATULAT I 8 to Mike Miller for the excellent job he did in arranging the recent bus trip to the ball game.

A good time was had by all, although the game itself left a little to be desired HERE'S AN exclusive tip on how to guess the attendance if you happen to have a pool going. Take your advertising rate, divide by two, multiply by 1000, add your address, throw in your phone number and if it's Monday night you should be pretty close. (Plus TL of course.) NO, MAGIC MUFFLER has not taken a Used Car Lot on Van Nuys Blvd. It's just that Irv Grant and Leo Krolle Of Johnny Angel decided to stay around a while, so might as well fix up the place. A mighty job too if we might add Chrysler's Turbine Tests Bring Off Mixed Reactions BEAR CREEK CAMP in upper Little Tujunga Canyon has lively stream under canopy of cottonwoods.

Good rainfall of past two seasons has activated many streams in mountain areas around Valley. This one probably will be bone dry before summer arrives It's only few miles from Vasquez Rocks Park in Aqua Dulce. Stereo Popular Another Ford Motor Company first is a sweet-sounding success. The Stereosonic tape player, introduced by the company on five of its 1966 models, has outrun forecasts both in player systems ordered and in tapes sold, according to F. Laux, Ford Motor Company vice president marketing.

With grand opeming ceremonies this week end, Hugh Johnson Ford will replace the former Clymore Ford dealership in Newhall. Clymore operated dealership since 1940 otft retired the first of this year. Hugh Johnson, a 38 year year old native of South Carolina, had served the past six years as general manager of another Ford dealership in the Valley. Prior to that he had held a position at a Valley Chevrolet agency. Newhal! Ford Dealership Ready for Grand Opening As if that weren't qualifications enough before coming to the Golden State, Johnson practiced law for five years.

He also attended USC and was a member and past president of the Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity. Active in Rotary and Boy Scout work in the Valley, the Vacation Movie Made Available "Happy Holidays." a new 2S-mmute. sound and color film just released by Ford Division of Ford Motor Company, is now available for loan to church groups, cmc clubs and private organizations. L. S.

Grey, manager of the division's Los Angeles district sales office, had announced today. The new falm the spectacular wonders of the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains, capturing the scenic wonders of the mountains as ell as dozens of famous tourist attractions in and Xorfh Carolina jNamed Pace Car Mercury Comet clone GT has; a- HUGH JOITSSOV IxwVing; lo Grorrth Kord dealer lne; in Vallev i his -suf" and children Chrysler Corp. today had reported engineering and consumer reaction results of its turbine consumer evaluation program which saw 203 users jput 50 cars through more than miles of normal ev- driving. Harry E. Chesebrough, vice president, product planning and development, said a decision concerning future plans for the automotive turbine will be made in late spring or early summer.

He said the company is currently engaged in a continuing turbine engine development and test program based on results of the consumer program and other factors. Some George J. Huebner director of research for Chrysler said information and engineering data derived on the behavior of gas turbine engines and components in everyday consumer use would be important in the program to achieve improved performance and durability. Dr. David F- Miller, manger of Chrysler marketing and consumer research department, said the consumer evaluation program had uncovered some areas of performance that require improvement but had made it evident that the idea of turbine-powered passenger cars is capable of earning widespread consumer acceptance.

From a purely engineering standpoint, Chrysler was most interested in the life of parts and components of the 50 turbine car engines, their performance, reliability, the degree and nature of maintenance required, the amount of training desirable for service people and the opportunity to test advanced turbine engine concepts and fabrication techniques under field conditions. Inspection of high mileage cars, Huebner said, indicated that most of the parts will pass tlie life generally considered acceptable for passenger cars. Other highlights 1n the Chrysler Findings included: Fuel mileage on the SO-car lest, although reasonable, vras not quite as good as that of a comparable piston- powered car. also was gratifying to Chrysler engineeri. The experience of the 50-car program indicated that training of personnel In the maintenance and repair of gas turbine presents no unusual problems.

Vehicle response and acceleration was surprisingly good during the program when it is considered that the engine "was rated at only 130 horsepower and the car weighed about the same as a Chrysler Newport, Huebner reported. There were a few parts that gave Chrysler engineers trouble because they could not readily duplicate field deterio- laboratoi'y therefore could not immediately pinpoint the problem. Problem Is Solved "Regular inspection Indicated that Borne enginei had been subjected to temperatures very much higher than those normally allowed bv fuel control, yet a check of that component revealed no deficiency," Huebner said. The problem was solved after it was noticed that some of the consumer drivers would by-pass the automatic start system. The trouble cured by modifying the automatic start system so that the driver could not by-pass it.

Most serious problems encountered concerned the electrical system. "Our use of a combined function starter-generator caused a severe operational deficiency," the Chrysler engineer said. Jjmltors Give A combination of high altitude and low humidity rapidly destroyed the starter- generator brushes. Addition of barium sails to the graphite brush compound reduced 'he high altitude brush wear hut did not entirely solve the problem. Problems also were discovered with the ignitore of early engines and progress has been the DANGEROUS SPORT for climbing lr peak of one of -uplumed sljbs al Rorks Park.

Gome up ormne dov. that is hard It to flush Vasquez and his desperados from this hid- pbre He tried and executed murderer 1 vear; apr Legend has il thai he alv slept at San Fernando Minion and plaved Knrnn Hood in loral of 1hal penod Site -ioiv a fhermpnl ramping is porrmttH the pace car for the ttMtt A considerable expansion di an a pohs 500-mile Memorial'plan-sull commence later Day Classic. Paul Lorenz. lyear for improved sales and Lincoln "v-rorp facilities. The agency presented -Rill a complete Mrrnirv Division, to Ton n-i Cold claimed starting to be one ability, of the qualities of the tur- aithough made in this area the company Is now testing redesigned which it hopes -will have don- the Me of present igniter'.

"Manv people expressed eventiiaTIv bine, proved to be just thai output of each dividual engine as built mained consistently its original value. in- re- to The low frequency of re- conviction tihat power plants will replace conventional rmjines, 1 Miller said. people, -while enthusi; about the oar, ex-pressed thought that certain especially acceleration fuel economy, would Som Hulmsn quired maintenance on the ex- improved before -inj: line, inrluclinsi daily enjnr.e'' "oin rentals and rnicX rf-p- 1 thHr wn for first.