The White Falcon - 17.02.1978, Blaðsíða 3

February 17, 1978
White Falcon
Page 3
Buying and driving in Iceland
AUTOMOBILES
When you received orders to Iceland
you had many things to think about, not
the least being what to do about a car.
Should you ship your present vehicle?
Should you take a chance on buying one
that has probably been sold three pre-
vious times. Or, maybe you should or-
der a new one while in Iceland.
Whether you're a newcomer to the NATO
base or a short-timer; whether you're
buying, selling or shipping a vehicle,
there are many considerations, includ-
ing Icelandic law and the inevitable
Icelandic climate.
Hindsight doesn't do you much good
now. You knew you had to have snow
tires or chains, right? Right! How
about headlights? Did you have them
adjusted before coming? No matter.
"They won't pass the test, anyway,"
says Mr. Kris Asgeirsson, Manager of
the Navy Exchange Service Station.
"Lights are adjusted somewhat dif-
ferently here than in the United
States," said Mr. Asgeirsson. "Your
brakes will most likely need readjust-
ing, too."
Mr. Asgeirsson advises that, "...
because of the delay in getting parts,
it's wise to check your vehicle out
thoroughly, before bringing it here.
And, you shouldn't get discouraged
when your vehicle doesn't pass the
inspection. Few do."
There are a couple of dealers in
Reykjavik for those times you have
problems. The base service station
can do minor repairs on generators,
carburetors and clutch adjustments. If
you suspect you might need any major en-
gine or front end work, it should have
been taken care of in the states. Of
course, if you're handy with tools,
there's always the Auto Hobby Shop,
where you can do it yourself.
Once you pass the hurtles of pick-
ing up your vehicle, buying insurance,
registration, license plates and the
terrifying cement wall brake test, you
are now ready to begin seeing Iceland.
Right? Wrong...
Although similar , Icelandic and U. S.
traffic laws have some very distinct
differences. More than what's written
down as law, you should become aware of
the Icelandic way of thinking when driv-
ing.
There's primarily a small community
philosophy. You won't always find signs
giving speeds, road conditions, etc.
There's an "it's understood," or "every-
one knows it's there" attitude.
"So, the best piece of advice for
driving in Iceland," says E02 Michael
Wilson, of the NATO base License Office,
"is to use common sense."
Many of the Icelandic roadways are one
lane. "Don't go barreling over a rise,"
said Wilson. "There's a good chance an-
other car will be waiting for you on the
other side. Or, the road might just
drop off and you'll find yourself driv-
ing over a cliff. There are a few of
those around the country."
Other aspects of the Icelandic driv-
ing psyche is not only a sense, but a
written part of the Icelandic Traffic
Act - of involvement. If a road sign
is found to be damaged, it is the cit-
izen's duty to repair it to the best of
his ability. Also, if someone sees an-
other person driving under, shall we
say "liquidfied" conditions, it is the
first person's duty to impede the sec-
ond person's progress. This may in-
volve calling the police, refusing ser-
vice (in the case of a gas station at-
USO news——
In conjunction with Black History
Month, USO is sponsoring a soul disco.
Stop at USO tomorrow at 9 p.m. to round
out Black History Week festivities.
tendant) or anything else in their pow-
er to keep the hapless person from be-
hind the wheel.
There are some good vehicle buys to be
had. And, then again, you can be had,
but not necessarily intentionally.
You'll soon discover that most of the
vehicles for sale on the NATO base are
fast becoming collectors' items. That
is, unless they happen to be made with
"European Specs: an innocent enough
term, if you're not thinking of taking
the vehicle back home with you.
Before you close the deal on that VW
or four-wheel drive, there's one thing
you should do, advises Kris Asgeirsson.
"Bring it by the service station for a
You may still sign up for the hot
pools' trip, leaving tomorrow at 12:30
p.m. a unique experience in Iceland,
join USO in these outdoor pools in the
midst of winter. The museum trip will
leave Feb. 25 at 12:30 p.m.
A ping pong tournament is scheduled
for Sunday at 1 p.m. Ping pong profes-
sional Rene Mahone will again referee
the USO tournament. The current cham-
pion is Don Self, with Tim Greene as
second place winner. Prizes will be
awarded.
Sound Swap Club—Those people who
are interested in exchanging new albums
for recording purposes are invited to
attend a meeting at USO Wednesday at 7
p.m.
Monday, Washington's Birthday, a
Reykjavik shopping tour will leave at
10:30 a.m., returning at 3:30 p.m.
Sign up at USO.
Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. USO will be pre-
senting "Black Journal—Black Woman",
a discussion about the female role in
society from a black woman's perspec-
tive.
A free chili supper with homemade
desserts will be served Thursday after-
noon, beginning at 5. Sponsored by the
Protestant Women of the Chapel, the sup-
per is for all unaccompanied personnel.
Also, a factory shopping trip will leave
USO at 12:30 p.m. and return at 5 Thurs-
day.
Wednesday, the Red Wall Snack Bar will
feature a cherry cheesecake special.
By
JOI John Chadwell
NEX SERVICE STATION MANAGER,--Mr. Kris Asgeirsson, per-
forms a headlight adjustment. Nearly every vehicle
coming into Iceland requires the adjustment.
Security, to change the base registrar
tion. After this, you go to the Legal
Office, where you present evidence of
having completed the first ghree trans-
actions. The Legal Office will complete
the transfer of the vehicle by filling
“As I said in the advertisement. I've only driven it on
Sundays.”
check. For a minor fee we can tell you
if the vehicle will pass inspection. We
can also check it over to see if its had
any problems with bearings, ball joints,
brakes and the general running condition
of the vehicle."
One of the best things you can do is
ask questions. When was the last time
the wheel bearings were packed? This is
important! If you're coming from a dry
region, you could easily underestimate
the value of doing this in a wet climate
such as Iceland' s. What about the •• c
shocks; are they heavy-duty? Remember,
Iceland's volcanic terrain. What about
the battery? Low amp batteries don It
hold up well here. Also, check the
outward physical appearance of the bat-
tery. Are the terminals clean? This
is an important clue to future problems.
"The most common problem we handle,"
says Mr. Asgeirsson, "is non-starting.
Thus, tune-ups are our big business."
Special care should be taken when
buying a vehicle. Additional care
should be taken once you've paid for it;
you'll be trying to sell it yourself in
another year or two.
"Another thing," added Mr. Asgeirsson,
"when you do have trouble, just remember,
there's only one base station serving
over 1,500 vehicles."
Once you have selected the vehicle
you want to buy and have checked it out,
it's time to begin transferring owner-
ship .
Your first stop will be to obtain
insurance. Unlike the insurance com-
panies back home, the original owner
of the car can transfer the remaining
portion of his insurance policy to you.
All auto insurance policies are renewed
each March.
After taking care of the insurance,
you go to the Icelandic Police Station
to register the vehicle with the Ice-
landic authorities. Next stop, Base
out a bill of sale,
wheels!
You now have
At first, this might appear as an at-
tractive alternative to buying a used
vehicle of dubious lineage or risking
a dock worker's wrath upon your machine
as it's loaded aboard ship.
But alas, we have no gas...at least,
no, non-leaded gas.
This means-that brand new, shiny
machine of yours will have "European
Specs." Unless you intend unloading
several thousand dollars worth of chrome
and plastic at the end of your tour,
your'e in for a slight shock to your
wallet if you intend to ship your
vehicle home.
Upon entering the United States, you
will run into something you have taken
for granted, because every car you
bought before was an offspring of the
environmentalist and safety movement in
the U. S.
Now, you or your vehicle will ex-
perience something akin to what a for-
eign national does when entering the
U.S. For your vehicle is not in com-
pliance with U. S. standards.
Before being allowed to drive away
from the pier, you will have to put up
a bond for the value of the vehicle.
You then have 90 days to bring it to
U. S. standards. This could include
a new antismog conversion of your en-
gine: meaning, back to non-lead gas
and the catalytic converter, safety
glass, seat belts, tires and any other
standards the U. S. imposed on auto
makers during the year the vehicle was
made. It is conceivable that you could
spend upwards to $2,000 just to bring
your car into compliance with U. S.
import standards.
Whatever route you eventually decide
on, remember, once you do have wheels,
get out and see the countryside. There's
a lot of it to see.
Happy Motoring...
State primary dates set
Were you happy with your last pay
raise?
What about the 'upcoming changes
in the retirement system?
Whether you've decided to stay in
the military or get out, the way your
state's Senators or Congressmen vote
will affect you.
Are you satisfied with their voting
records?
If you're not, there's something
you can do about it - VOTE! But, you
better hurry, especially if you’re
from Illinois; one Senatorial, 24 Rep-
resentative seats and the Governor's
office are up for grabs March 21.
The fact is, 33 Senators, 435 Rep-
resentatives to Congress and 36 Gov-
ernors are due for another go-around
during 1978.
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF EVERY ELIG-
IBLE MEMBER OF THE ARMED FORCES VOTED?
Think about it. Better yet, VOTE!
Aug. 22 Alaska Sen.Stevens(R);1 Rep.(l R);Gov.Hammond(R)
Okla. Sen.Bartlett(R);6 Reps.(5 D,1 R);Gov.Boren(D)
Aug. 29 Ga. Runoff if needed
Sept. 5 Ala. Sen.Sparkman(D);7 Reps.(4 D,3 R);Gov.Wallace(D)**
N.D. 1 Rep(l R)
Sept. 9 Del. Sen.Biden(D); 1 Rep..(l R)
Sept. 12 Ariz. 4 Reps.(2 D,2 R);Gov.Bolin(D)
Colo. Sen.Haskell(D);5 Reps.(3 D,2 R);Gov.Lamm(D)
Conn. 6 Reps.(4 D,2 R);Gov. Grasso(D)
Fla. 15 Reps.(10 D,5 R);Gov.Askew(D)**
Md. 8 Reps.(5 D,3 R);Gov.Lee(D)
Minn. Sen.Anderson(D);8 Reps.(4 D,4 R);Gov.Perpich(D)
Nev. 1 Rep.(l D);Gov.O' Callaghan(D)**
N.H. Sen.McIntyre(D);2 Reps.(l D,1 R);Gov.Meldrim Thompson(R)
R.I. Sen.Pell(D);2 Reps.(2 D);Gov.Garrahy(D)
Utah 2 Reps. (1 D,1 R)
Vt. 1 Rep.(1 R);Gov.Snelling(R)
Wis. 9 Reps.(7 D,2 R);Gov.Schreiber(D)
Wyo. Sen.Hansen(R)*;1 Rep.(l D);Gov.Herschler(D)
Sept. 16 La. Sen.Johnston(D);8 Reps.(5 D,3 R)
Sept. 19 Mass. Sen.Brooke(R);12 Reps.(10 D, 2 R);Gov.Dukakis(D)
Okla. Runoff if needed
Wash. 7 Reps.(5 D,2 R)
Sept. 26 Ala. Runoff if needed
Oct. 7 Hawaii 2 Reps.(2 D);Gov.Ariyoshi(D)
Oct. 10 Fla. Runoff if needed
* Retiring
** Not eligible to run again