Rustless Wonder Cars That Keep Themselves Clean

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17655, 19 December 1931, Page 9

Rustless Wonder Cars That Keep Themselves Clean

PARIS, Oct. 20. JHE International Motor .Show opened 'in Paris the other day. The immense hall of the Grand Palais looked for all the world, like a vast silversmith’s emporium. Never before has such a glittering array of cars been assembled under one. roof. IVo years ago it, seemed that the modiste had taken complete < barge of tin* motor car’s make up, for bodies were of fabric, choice silks, and other attractive materials.

Rut these have completely vanished, just like short skirls and other feminine fashions of yesterday. Old motorists rubbed their eyes in astonishment when they saw at a glance that the metallurgist had taken in hand the exterior decoration of the. cars of all nations. Thp Paris Show is an exhibition of 1952 cars from all parts of the world, and every nation seems to have adopted the same idea -to have cars that look masculine outside and fornine in side, with gleaming metal exteriors, and interiors of choice leathers and dainty tapestries. Rust-Proof Metals This metal craze is more or less the logical development of chromium plating and other processes of making metals absolutely rust-proof and stainless. A few years ago the ear designer did away with as many bright metal parts as possible, lie knew that it was a most painful task for the owner-driver to keep them dean. But saving labor made motor cars look very drab.

With the new stainless steels as bright as silver, chromium plating, and even stainless brass, bright metals have become far easier to clean than paintwork. Hence the complete return in 1932 to brighter motor ears. One I’.ritish body on a Rolls-Royce i liassis that created general admiration is a jet black, and around the waistline is a very deep band of rustless steel burnisheij as bright as silver. Lamps, radiator and other fittings are of the same metal.

A few years ago, before the rustless age, such a car would have given even a chauffeur n fit.

Now these parts are actually easier to keep clean than the rest of the ear. Rain lias hot the slightest effect, upon them. Only occasionally when mud has actually adhered to the surface is it riecesnary to give them a rub over. Pressed Steel Bodies Inside the car the upholstery is of a new type of leather composition that is exactly like chinchilla in pattern. No divan in a boudoir was oyer so alluring and inviting as the ami.diair seats of this car. Nearly every motor car for 1932 is equipped with a metal body. Most of these are of the pressed-steel variety. With the development of rustless metals it looks as though paintwork may before long be dispensed with altogether. In this case motor cars will scarcely want- any cleaning at all. which would be an immense asset to the ownerdriver. Some of the motor cars of the show have got very near to this stage.