MPC#031 - Solved - sand dispenser to improve grip

[Paul Jaray]

I remember a pic of a similar deviced used by a famous pilot for the 1st kind of 'interfono' for a rally car.
It was a recent article I'll try to find it back!
Oops!

[mekubb]

Last guess : a kind of microphone ? Although it is rather big...

[Paul Jaray]

Is the 1st kind of USB, let's say USB 0.001?
I mean, is the main purpouse linked to electricity?

[Otto Puzzell]

Is it used to add a carefully-measured amount of a fluid, for testing?

[luisps]

Maybe is a kind of ashtray with a vacuum system to eliminate the fumes in order to keep clean the air for the rest of passengers.

[Iluvatar]

I remember a pic of a similar deviced used by a famous pilot for the 1st kind of 'interfono' for a rally car.
It was a recent article I'll try to find it back!
Oops!

Last guess : a kind of microphone ? Although it is rather big...

Is the 1st kind of USB, let's say USB 0.001?
I mean, is the main purpouse linked to electricity?

No electricity involved, not a microphone, not an telephone or similar...
...but...
...Paul Jaray in his first post said something almost right... 

[Iluvatar]

Maybe is a kind of ashtray with a vacuum system to eliminate the fumes in order to keep clean the air for the rest of passengers.

[Iluvatar]

Is it used to add a carefully-measured amount of a fluid, for testing?

No... but maybe this is the nearer guess to the solution I have seen until now...

[Tom_I]

Does it dispense sand or grit on to the ground, so that someone getting out of the car does not slip over in very cold weather?

[Iluvatar]

Does it dispense sand or grit on to the ground, so that someone getting out of the car does not slip over in very cold weather?

You are almost there!!! 
Locked for you until your next reply to find the solution...

[Tom_I]

Well, if similar things could be used in trains or trams, does it dispense sand or grit on to the ground just in front of the driving wheels of the car to improve traction in slippery conditions?

[Iluvatar]

Well, if similar things could be used in trains or trams, does it dispense sand or grit on to the ground just in front of the driving wheels of the car to improve traction in slippery conditions?

Yes!!!!! 
One point for you!
I've found the picture of this special race optional on an article about the 1954 Montecarlo Rally...

[WayneB]

Well Done!

It all makes perfect sense now :lol:

[ropat53]

The car the sand dispenser is in would make a great puzzle, what is it?

[Otto Puzzell]

A Hillman Minx (or not)

[ropat53]

I didn't mean the two door car on the right, that does look like a Hillman Minx, I meant the four door car of the inside view of the dispenser.

[Otto Puzzell]

Oops.

[richard cuyler]

I can't figure out what make of car this device is fitted to. I agree the interior sems to be of a Rootes car of 1960's vintage, but I don't remember any of their designs having that little quarterlight to the left of the parcel-shelf.

I can, however, imagine a typical conversation which might have been heard inside this car.

Cold winter's night, lots of ice and snow about, nice and warm in the car. Chauffer stops the car outside a country house where a party is going on.

Husband: "Thank you, Jackson. We'll be finished at about 1-ish. Bring the car around to the front about that time."
Jackson: "Very good, sir." Remains seated at the wheel.
Wife: "Isn't he going to open the door for me?"
Husband: "It's very slippery and we don't want to be without a driver if he breaks his leg, do we? You're so damn spoiled!""
Wife: (snorts) "Well, it's not you who has spoiled me. Remember, It's daddy's money that has bought us everything!"
Husband: "Anyway, darling, we have the wonderful new sand dispenser to hand to make our first few steps safe, won't we?"
Wife: "Oh yes, goody! How clever!"
Husband: "You did bring the sand, didn't you?"
Wife "What? You never said anything about bringing sand. Anyway, where am I supposed to carry it? In my tiny evening bag?"
Husband(getting angry): "No, darling. I left the pack just inside the front door. You were supposed to give it to Jackson to carry! I did tell you, but typically you weren't listening!"
Wife: "It's always my fault, isn't it? Why couldn't you give it to Jackson? Anyway, I've just had my nails done and a great big bag of sand would break them!"
Husband: "God, why can't you get anything right? I suppose we'll just have to risk it!"

Opens the door and starts to get out, banging his head hard on the sand dispenser.

Husband: "Damn it!" (Blood is starting to drip from his head onto his white dress shirt)  "Who's bloody stupid idea was this anyway?"
Wife: 'Yours, dear."

Webmaster, free feel to delete this post if you wish. I won't be offended at all.

Richard.

[WayneB]

I think the device in the quiz may be fitted to a Humber Super Snipe.
They did Rally those behemoths in the '50s.
Could have also been a Mercedes Ponton, the small "window" in the C pillar may be a vanity mirror.

[Otto Puzzell]

.....the small "window" in the C pillar may be a vanity mirror.

Or, an access hatch for adding more sand to the canister.

[Iluvatar]

But... are you sure what we see in the picture is a window?? I don't see the stairs behind the car... 

[Carnut]

But... are you sure what we see in the picture is a window?? I don't see the stairs behind the car... 

Looks like a mirror.  But it's clearly the rear seat;  when did they ever carry rear-seat passengers in rally cars?!

[Iluvatar]

But... are you sure what we see in the picture is a window?? I don't see the stairs behind the car... 

Looks like a mirror.  But it's clearly the rear seat;  when did they ever carry rear-seat passengers in rally cars?!

[Tom_I]

I'm fairly sure it's a mirror, and from the shape of the door, my current theory is that the car is an Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire 4-light saloon, something like this:

[attachimg=1]

Unfortunately I can't find any decent interior shots of the 4-light body. It seems that the 6-light version, which has a small extra window behind the back door, is far more common. But you can just about see the mirror (circled) in this shot of a 4-light car under restoration.

[attachimg=2]

And here's the interior of a 6-light version for comparison, showing the same door shape, and other details, including the slight thickening of the chrome trim at the lower rear corner of the window (arrowed) and ivory-coloured bezels round the handles. There's clearly something on the back seat in the puzzle picture which obscures the armrest.

[attachimg=3]

[Carnut]

By George, Sherlock, I think you're right!