AIRSTREAM DE SOTO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22504, 22 August 1936, Page 13 (Supplement)

AIRSTREAM DE SOTO

Road

SMARTNESS AND SPEED I AN IMPRESSIVE MACHINE A new car that has attracted considerable attention during the past few weeks is the Airstream Do Soto sedan. Produced by the Chrysler factories, the Do Soto is a handsome machine notable for brilliant acceleration, excellent < road-holding, roomy body, and reasonable operating economy. Placed in about the centre of the moderate price class, the Do Soto is definitely a high-quality motor-car. Given ordinary caro, it should easily outlast any cheap ear. In the Auckland taxi fleets are a number of. 1929, 1930 and 1931 Do Sotos, both six and eightcylinder models, whoso speedometers have ticked off 80,000 miles and more without a reboro. Typical of tho attention to mechanical detail and provision for really hard work, is tho fitting of an efficient aircooled generator that should not overheat under any circumstances. A positive shift starter engages tho starter pinion with tho ring gear before tho current can bo applied, preventing tho sticking and chipping of starter gears. The clutch also is air-cooled, while current European trends are followed in tho adoption of a hypoid bevel gear in tho rear axle

As in othor Chrysler products scrupulous care is taken to avoid an; possibility of dust or road grit enter ing any part of tho motor. More wea is caused through this happening thai most motorists realise. The air cleane is the most efficient type known in th industry. Dust cannot enter througl the crankcase breather, as it can oi the great majority of cars, or througl tho petrol supply. Tho machine tested during the wee! was fresh from tho factory, and wa not run-in, a speed governor bein fitted to tho motor. Nevertheless, tin car seemed to bo thoroughly lively evei with this handicap, acceleration bein; well above the average. The see-sa\ motion noticeable with soino types o independent suspension was complete!; absent from tho Do Soto except whei

the brakes were applied hard. It might not be noticed then unless the driver was looking for if. Provided that proper cornering methods are adopted, tho sharpest corners on tho waterfront road can bo taken with complete ease at about 40 miles an hour in the De Soto. The car remains perfectly steady and there is not the slightest tendency to roll. For a large American car of moderate price, this is unusual. On the new model, modified construction and improved arrangement of seats and cushions have given increased room back and front. Better vision for the driver from all angles is another praiseworthy feature of the 1936 sedan. Rubber composition pads between body and frame make for a quiet ride. In all major points, tho car appears to be beyond criticism. To gain full advantage from a sprung steering wheel, such as is fitted on nearly all models, much lighter spoke springs might have been fitted. However, it is quite likely that these lose their stiffness with use. The dashboard fittings are particularly neat. Mention should be made of the overdrive, which is optional equipment on all models. At car speeds of about 40 miles an hour, the overdrive, at tho will of tho driver, automatically slows the engine speed down a third without reducing tho speed of the car. Exhaust noise, fuel and oil consumption, heat and wear are thus reduced enormously. It is likely that this device will become standard equipment on all American and the larger English cars within tho next two or three years.