A CAR FOR £40.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19732, 24 September 1929, Page 15

A CAR FOR £4O.

RADICAL AMERICAN DESIGN Th« popularity enjoyed by half down British cats in the 7-6 h.p. cii hat excited the interest of Am«rie manufacturers, and a serious efiorfc being Bide by the Martin aeropi* factory, N«w York, to organise a pi* for toe production at a dimimiti tw» seater. It is surprising that An rican man afacturers hare not be tempted before to treat the ultra-}ig ear aerioasly. The American argunM has been tost foel is «o cheap that ti economy of low-powered car* is insi nificant compared with the America demand for rail fivo-eeatera, which w hold their own ia traffic. Xow. har ever, some Interest is being taken the poeeibilities of untouched mark* by establishing a new low-price l«rel. Tbe American is net worried abo consumption of petrol, but the idea making motoring possible to people w find the purchase prioe of existing oa lather high arouses interest. It is I cognised that the pneeirt prices of i bodied can canfcot be undercut any new organisation, but by taking the very small car with a two-seat chummy, of clover-leaf type of bcx America can set a new price staad&i The temptation must in tbe end prt 100 ttnen, and the radical step will taken. The project of tbe Martin factory I tiot been financed, but three bam Inodels hare" been built, find it ia es mated that the car can be turned t to Mil fek the United States at £■ Or I«ss than half the price of the krtr< t>riced oar offering to-day. It is i turaily iarpOaSible to expect a fan .car at this prioe, and the models wh hav* bean made are strictly ti waters. The cars are rather unoft dok, and those who admire the sn British ear may be inclined to ee.ll American effort freakish. They i Mope types with no separate cfaaa tSach wheel is independently attael to a reinforced body, and an eat ordinary system of springing is fitt This has "bees evolved from aria' practice, robber being applied as i used oil feoffie light aeroplanes wheel suspension and shock «b*orpti It is claimed that this "aviation rot Will lart fcW akrnt 35.000 miles, ant can be replaced for a few nbniings. ' wheelbefe is AOia, cr i than that of the smallest British in production. A Very small four-cylinder eagira fitted and the designer claims 30 ra ; per gallon and SO m.p.h. The weighs ohly 0001b. and it has an e trie starter and the usual dash ins meftt*. It is claimed that the ii pendent suspension affords rery imr riding over potholes. Irrespective of the fate of thU an American rer«it»n of a popular 1 Ish 7 h.p. model is almost be on the market shortly. This rj already produced in France an*! many under arrangemt-nt with British company. ?ncl art Araeri' ;-r« dnction is being conrider^ri.