MOTORING

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29383, 9 December 1960, Page 15

MOTORING

Rubber And Stainless Steel In Greater Use

rpHIS year's international motor show in London showed more use of stainless steel and rubber than ever before. From the radiator grille of the most expensive Rolls Royce to the window frames of the more austere family saloons, stainless steel is to be seen in one form or another of most of the cars produced today, and the increased use of rubber in suspension systems and flexible mountings has made a significant contribution to the quieter running and smoother ride of the modern car. Bust Damage For many years, motorists have been annoyed by chromium plating which has rusted quickly and spoilt the exterior appearance of their cars. Rising costs in the motor industry prevented . the manufacturers’ from paying close attention to the plating process, and the finished article has suffered as a result. The main problem with chrome is that, because the plating is only a thin skin over ordinary metal, rust can get underneath and cause it to peel and flake off. If the metal was thoroughly clean before the plating was applied, the results would be more satisfactory, but modern mass production methods allow no careful scrutiny of the metals.

Another enemy of chrome is the fastidious owner who insists of rubbing it down frequently. Sooner or later it,will wear thin, according to its quality, and if a driver is unfortunate to twist a bumper bar while parking, the chrome is likely to be damaged by the rust which will attack through the broken surface. Being a homogenous metal right through, stainless steel cannot rust if it is damaged. It has a highly polished surface, and although not as bright as new chromium, holds its gleam longer. American cars with their bodywork adorned with huge masses of chromium were the first to be converted to stainless steel to prevent their rapid deterioration in appearance. British and Continental manufacturers have now followed suit in a big way, and bulk production has reduced the price to the stage where there is scarcely any price differential. Even popular family cars, such as the Vauxhall, now have hubcaps, windscreen surrounds, and other bright parts in stainless steel.

Apart from exterior trim, stainless steel is used in some engines for high duty components such as valves, pump parts and other

equipment where corrosion and heat must be resisted.

The great increase in the use of rubber on modern cars has come about with little publicity, yet it is making a great contribution to silence and comfort The British motor industry is today absorbing twice as much rubber as it did five years ago. The British Motor Corporation alone requires vast amounts for the suspension of its mini-cars, but the trend is not only confined to low-priced cars. Jaguar models have rubber bushes interposed at all points where the rear suspension joins the chassis, so that there is no metab-to-metal connexion for vibration to travel through. Renault Dauphine

The French Renault Dauphine, with its “aerostable” suspension, uses normal springs supplemented by sealed air-filled rubber cushions and special rubber buffers on the rear wheels. The Rover 3-litre has an all-welded steel body shell heavily insulated at six points to the sub-frame carrying the engine, transmission, steering, and front suspension. These rubber mountings offer exceptional protection in tire event of a collision.