FUTURE OF GAR DESIGN

Evening Star, Issue 22069, 1 July 1935, Page 13

FUTURE OF GAR DESIGN

AMERICAN EXPERT'S VIEWS Many extravagant prophecies have been made concerning the future design of cars, and some critics, it has been pointed out, are too prone to pay attention only to reports of new discoveries and scientific experiments, without weighing in the balance most cogent commercial and financial factors. Those controlling the large car factories of the world havo naturally to give close heed to the amount of money sunk in existing enterprises, the stability of public demand, and the probable cost of introducing some new design, which might, so far as {mediate sales were concerned, “ misfire.” When, however, a forecast is made by an eminent expert, who is fully conversant with the problems of engineering and of the market, his views deserve special consideration. Recently the president,of the American Society of Automotive Engineers, Mr W; B. Stout; delivered an address before some 800 members of that body, in which he dealt with the future of the automobile, a subject on. which he is well qualified to speak from both technical and commercial standpoints. He expressed the opinion that in view of the progress which continues and all that is being added to the sum of human knowledge a majority of things mechanical are tending to become out of date, and must be replaced with more and more frequency. That development was most pronounced in the engineering field, where devices and designs became obsolete with disconcerting rapidity. Speaking of the automobile, tliis authority said that the most pressing problem of car manufacturers was ingenuity. _ Standardised cars had become so similar that competition _in trade had led to price-cutting, which eventually would react to the detriment of the industry as a whole. Therefore, the next obvious step would be the evolution of a new vehicle, for the creation of which there was abundant scientific justification. 1 POSITION OF ENGINE.

Such an ultra-modern car, ho said, should be “ obvious ” in appearance, so that the man in the street would at once appreciate the reasons for the design adopted, and should be made lighter than existing 'models. With a reduction in weight, it was _ thought that tyre diameters would be increased and inflation pressures reduced, with a consequent minimising of road shocks. Running boards are belittled by Ibis critic as anachronisms, on the ground that although when chassis were much higher they were needed, they are quite superfluous in the latest, low-built machines, and merely add to the total weight and cost of the car. There has always been a strong conflict of opinion between experts as to what is the ideal position' fo: - the engine, Mr Stout, it is reported, favours a rear mounting. That view is advocated by him on the ground that the steering of motor vehicles too often involves an avoidable effort, in that when the engine is at front _ every time the driver trims the steering wheel he has in effect to turn the weight of the engine. Ho believes that the best solution is to put more weight at the hack of the chassis, where the road shocks on the rear wheels are almost vertical, and consequently a good load is called for to absorb ‘‘ the kick of the heavy axle bobbing up and down.” COMPROMISE DESIGN.

It might bo recalled that a number of rear-engined cars have from time to time been put on the market, and several types of that make have met with success on the Continent, a notable example being the 1 powerful Auto-Union competition model, in which German drivers have won many contests. The authority quoted believes that by the use of rear-engiries not, only would much greater passenger space be made available, but there would bo easier riding and bettor traction. Stress was also laid by him on the facilities which such a situation of the engine gave the fitting of bodies having a low windresistance. but it was admitted that certain difficulties in respect of general requirements regarding the size of windows, doors, and road wheels would have to be surmounted. Nevertheless, it was asserted that _ those manufacturers who were first in the field with a happy compromise of design on the general lines suggested would find that a very gratifying demand existed for such products. One hundred cars, conforming to Mr Stout’s specifications, have been manufactured and distributed to selected owners throughout the United States, so that the pracicability _of the car under widely varying conditions mav be demonstrated. Tho American Press, by reason of the exceptionally comfortable eqninment, has termed this model a “Land Yacht,” but has expressed some scepticism as to whether the public will accord it a favourable reception.