THE CARS OF THE FUTURE.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20907, 14 July 1933, Page 16

THE CARS OF THE FUTURE.

AMERICAN PREDICTIONS. TOURING SPEED OF 75 MILES AN HOUR. That the development in the motorcar has kept pace with the construction of good roads throughout the United States in the last two decades is emphasised in a study based on the recorded judgment of eight experienced American engineering experts comparing the increase in average automobile touring speeds. It is predicted that the average touring speed in 1942 will be 75 miles an hour.

A chart showing the yearly gains was incorporated in a review presented by Walter T. Fishleigh, of Detroit, before the annual meeting of the Society of Automotive Engineers. The paper was entitled "What Price Standardisation?" "Two important characteristics of the speed curve should be noted," said Mr Fishleigh, "namely, the average touring speeds have increased continuously, and that this increase has been greater in each successive decade. Projecting the curve ahead 10 years, at the same rate of speed increase, indicates an average automobile touring speed in 1942 of 75 miles an hour. This prognostication seems generally to be concurred in or even regarded as conservative."

Most of Mr Fishleigh's paper was devoted to the advances which he believed would be accomplished by streamlining and various mechanical changes in cars. Some of the major points considered were listed as follows:—High speed alters fundamental considerations; radical improvements logical; super-standardised fallacies; streamlining and rear engine installation and tear-drop cars. Streamlining:. Mr Fishleigh gave a graphical picture of the composite operating advantages of the streamlined tear-drop car over those of a conventional sedan. It is as startling as it is inspiring, and shows:— Total car resistance—cut in two. Miles a gallon of petrol—doubled. Maximum speed—a 25 per cent, increase, from 79 io 98 miles an hour.

Acceleration —increasingly greater as speeds increase; 13 per cent, greater at 40 miles an hour, and 50 per cent, greater at 60 miles an hour.

Hill-climbing ability—increasingly greater as speeds increase; 13 per cent, greater at 40 miles an hour, and 50 per cent, greater at 60 miles an hour.

Centre of gravity and over-all height —lowered.

Riding comfort—greatly improved, witli all seats suspended between the axles.

Engine noise, heat, and odourseliminated, due to engine location at the rear.

Clear vision ahead—due to removal of the engine to the rear.

Weight and cost—less than those of the conventional sedan.

Wheelbase and over-all car length—the same as those of the conventional middle-class sedan.

Beauty and grace—due to flowing curves and graceful proportions, which are basic on streamlined forms.

Streamlining and engines at the rear and tear-drop cars are coming, not because of the novelty or sensationalism, but because of sheer merit, mechanically, operatively, and economically. "Looking at the problem from one angle, it suggests a little radicalism and a lot of work." said Mr Fishleigh. "From another angle it spells out the three words, inspiration, engineering, and opportunity. In a broad sense it is the greatest call ever sent out by the automotive world for engineering courage and engineering leadership."

LOST IN A FOG. MOTORISTS CHANGE CARS. An amusing story is told of two strangers, owners of Morris-Oxford Sixes, who were lost in a fog on the Yorkshire moors. Both drivers had pulled up in the blackness to verify their whereabouts by a signpost they knew to exist, and both in turn, it appeared, had had a certain amount of difficulty in groping their way back to their cars. One of the two, after having practically felt his way through some five miles of fog on the homeward journey, was alarmed in view of the fact that he had started out without a passenger, to hear a voice from the back seat. Investigation, however, showed that not only had he acquired a passenger, but he had also acquired the other man's car—identical in colour and detail with his own—while his passenger, who was endeavouring to sleep, was under the impression that her husband, on completing his reconnaissance, had resumed his place at the wheel.

An anxious time followed, until the other driver, after receiving no reply to sundry snatches of conversation addressed to the back seat, realised what had happened and gave chase. Even so, owing to the fog, it was two hours before the necessary exchange was effected, to the amusement and relief of all concerned.

When all the traffic is controlled by lights, all the traffic policemen will be free to capture all the thieves who, driving stolen cars, will be able to ignore the light-signals, thanks to the absence of traffic police.—"Beachcomber," in the London "Daily Express.''

An American idea, utilising a threewheeled delivery van, has been adopted by a London garage; a man drives out in the three-wheeler to fetch a car which needs servicing, and drives the car back with the three-wheelers in tow on a special tow-bar.