“What would you do ?” used to figure on the cover of a comic called “Boys’ World”. This was a publication, obviously, aimed at boys and first appeared on January 26th 1963. There were 89 issues before the comic was merged with Eagle in 1964. The last issue of “Boys’ World” came out on October 3rd 1964.
I used to buy “Boys’ World”, and this was mainly for the front cover which always featured a kind of puzzle. It was called “What would you do ?” and was based on somebody being in what Ned Flanders would call “A dilly of a pickle”. Here’s the situation:
The yellow box sets the scene, and the task is for you to solve the situation. Perhaps you might like to write your idea in the “Comments” section.
Here’s the yellow box enlarged:
So, not a good situation. A deep, fast flowing river. The water will easily submerge the car, but the water pressure on the doors will be too strong for the men to open them. How will they escape?
John Knifton 
I would wind down my window just as fast as I can.
Good ides but we’ll see if it’s the correct solution at 06:17 hours on December 27th 2019…or a couple of minutes afterwards, usually.
Not being as quick thinking as David I would probably drown
To be honest, Derrick, I would be surprised if you didn’t have electric windows, a modern invention which actually brings in an extra difficulty for this 1963 puzzle.
I thought they might need to equalize the pressure to open the doors.
Absolutely correct! You qualify for a cigar as a prize, but unfortunately, it is in the glove compartment of the car which is underwater. There may be an air bubble to keep it dry for you, but I wouldn’t be too hopeful!
hahahaha……
The answer is to wind down a window and let the water flood into equalise the pressure, then open the door and escape. However, this requires a presence of mind which may well have departed as your car sinks into the black depths of the river.
Well done, Chris, that is absolutely correct. Bonus marks too for the thought that you might be panicking by this stage. Incidentally, this puzzle makes absolutely no allowance for the fact the car may turn upside down as it sinks to the bottom of the river. That would make it rather difficult to open the doors, I should think.
No need to wind down the windows on your Mk1 Cortina. The gentlemen at Dagenhan provided you with handy quarterlights. It’s a disgrace that the win-at-all-cost Scandis, in their Saab, could not be bothered to stop.
Yes, I’d forgotten completely about quarterlights. They would indeed be an easier option than winding down the window. I’m not sure that it can be called a Mk1 Cortina though. As we shall see on the Solution page, it is a bit of a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
You are, of course, absolutely right. This is 1963 and the car is a Consul Cortina!
Ah now then. Is this the cortina that was secretly converted into a submarine and would simply ‘drive’ along the river bed emerging at a suitable point ahead of Dick Dastardly in his car. By the look on his face he ran them off the road in a feeble attempt to stop our intrepid heroes from winning the rally.
I don’t think that too many Cortinas were converted into submarines, but do you remember the Amphicar ? I’ve always been surprised that there has never been a revival of that wonderful vehicle.
Don’t knock Dick Dastardly too much, by the way, As far as I can ascertain, that apparently heartless foreigner, given the make of car, is meant to be Eric Carlsson, the World Rallying Champion. On the other hand, did he get to the top by running everybody else off the road?
An interesting question John. Judging by the lack of concern on his Face I’d say foul play was certainly afoot! I do indeed remember the Amphicar. It wasn’t a world beater, but it was certainly an interesting concept vehicle. A few attempts have been made at such vehicles, even of course the DD tanks were attempts at the same idea. The DUKWs are probably the most successful but not many civilian examples have made it at all. A shame really as it might have saved our friend in the river!
Interesting dilemma which I shall leave others to solve after my last efforts.
Best Wishes for a great Christmas and New Year Mate.
Don’t be shy, particularly as this time you actually know the name of the person who placed you in that situation.
Just make sure meanwhile that you too have a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year, which, if I’ve understood it right, you celebrate twelve hours before we do.
Yes our Christmas Day is dawning now, cheers.
It will be hard if the two occupants are knocked out and therefore can do nothing. Maybe the two in the other car will help.
That is a very interesting point. I don’t think that anybody had legislated for the two occupants being knocked out, although that is actually a very likely outcome in an era when seatbelts were either not fitted or not compulsory in law. I know the correct answer and the two in the other car are not part of the solution, although if they could have helped, I am sure that they would have done.
Merry Christmas, by the way, and don’t eat Christmas pud!
Pud isn’t on the menu.
Definitely break the windows and get out. Not sure about then cars but these days the steel used to plug in the headrest is designed in such a way that it helps breaking the glass easily. Something I came to know recently.
I didn’t know that about the car’s headrest but it could be vital in an accident, and would obviously be the solution to the dilemna. In the days before that, the solution was a different one, and it’s in the second half of the post at
https://johnknifton.com/2019/12/27/what-would-you-do-2-the-solution/