LIGHTER BUT STRONGER

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 30 July 1927, Page 12

LIGHTER BUT STRONGER

TUEND OF CAR DESIGN.

"While the general public is rather apt to think that automobile design is, in the main stationary, it must he remembered that the viewpoint taken is generally concerned only with externals. Underneath the surface of chassis piodueed by go-ahead makers is a great deal of invisible improvement which is from time to time being incorporated into new designs (says an overseas magazine). Metallurgists are continually giving us new alloys, and into the make-up of vital parts, such as connecting rods pistons, diferential casings, gear loxes, and even cylinder blocks, the use of the light but strong alloys is spreading Tne ever extending use of suc-h metallic compounds as duralumin, for instance, means lighter cars with better power-to-weight »ntio with n given sized engine, and thereby more miles per gallon, longer lile tor tyres, and less general wear and tear. Lighter cars indeed mean not only better ears but cheaper cars to run and maintain, and every motorist is, .therefore, interested in weight production. Signs are not wanted that advanced designers may shortly give us cars far lighter and stronger than anyone has hitherto envisaged. Indeed, the allaluminium chassis is probably within sight, a.s some of the best brains in the industry are working towards that end. Even with the all-aluminium chassis we should not be at end of developments, because it would then be up to the inetal-lurgists to provide us with even lighter and better alloys, which in turn would be incorporated in place of aluminium.

So far. therefore from design having stagnated it would be nearer the truth to say that we are on the eve of very important developments.