SEEKING THE IDEAL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20065, 23 March 1935, Page 10

SEEKING THE IDEAL

A REAR-ENGINED CAR Something approaching the ideal of many people in motor-cars has come into the limelight in America. This is a roomy rear-engined vehicle in which there is only one fixed seat, that of the driver, the whole of the rest of the space bing a flat clear floor into which movable furniture can be introduced. Spaciousness is obtained not only by the removal of the engine to the rear, but by a body that incorporates in itself the space usually occupied by running boards. The car has no greater overall length than the average car, and its roof is at the usual height, yet there is a gain of five inches in headroom and much added length and breadth for passengers and luggage. There is no diving line between chassis and body. Among the advantages claimed for the locating of the engine at the rear, quite apart from the low clear floor the interior of the car enjoys, are better weight distribution, easier steering, and greater traction for the rear wheels. It is also claimed that there is increased safety, better braking being obtained, and less tendency on the part of the car to skid. It is further claimed that in case of accident due to collision a cushioned shock results instead of the direct impact that occurs with front-engine cars. The front slopes back, and the driver sits directly behind the screen in the usual place, with the customary controls. As mentioned, his seat is fixed to the floor. There is a chair beside him, but this can be turned round or moved back into the car. The furnishings shown are two upholstered chairs, metal tube construction, and a wide rear cross-seat which, however, can be shifted to the side and incorporated with a fold-out extension to make a full-length sleeping couch. The actual furnishing, of course, could be whatever an owner wished. A folding table is also installed.

According to the announcement, such streamlining as the car has is not designed “to reduce drag at high speeds,” but “to facilitate steering in all directions of wind.” It has been found, the statement continues, that “this is a far more important factor in roadability than is generally realised, while gains in speed or fuel milage as a result of streamlining are negligible at usual road speeds.” Quantity production is not an immediate programme. Only 100 cars are being built for the present season, and these are going into the hands of selected representative owners in various parts of America. The idea, of course, is to give the car a thorough try-out with a view to arriving at a production model.

The passenger space is windowed right along both sides, light metal frames and unimpeded vision. With the furnishings removed it has a perfectly clear interior and flat floor, front sloping well back, sides sloping in towards the curved roof, clear headroom at the rear of the compartment, like a bus. Over the engine and luggage space the rear curves downwards, and is brought, beetle fashion, inside the rear bumper to lose itself

in the level of the frame—a neat and very attractive design.