Sean Breheny wrote:

> In any event, I thought that manual transmission cars could also hold
> on a hill (without brakes) without special clutch tricks, but I guess
> I was quite misinformed.

  It's called a "Subaru".  Doubtless a few others.  But it only works
uphill, not down.  Amused my father no end, but now he has a Holden.

  Cheers,
        Paul B.