The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-26
CARS REFLECT WAR
MOTOR EXPERIENCE
Many Improvements and Re-
fincments Will BE Displayed
mt February Show.
nv II. CLIFFORD BRoKAw,

rcw outside the automobile industry
-eslize the extent of wars influence upon
automobile designs and the changes
which have been prompted AS n result
ot the prepondcrant use OF gasolene pro-
',sllei vehicles as agencies OF war and
war transportation. The FIRST oppor-
unity 90 observe some OF these changes
r,,l he afforded at the coming nineteenth
annual New York Automobile Show,
which opens in Madison Square Garden
and the adjacent Slxty-ninth Regiment
Armory next Saturday.
OF course II Is too early for all the
experiences OF the war to have been
worked out and applied to the models
which will be shown. but there will be
enough 10 interest ALL The time between
the signing of the ar1nistice and the
determination OF the industry to hold the
snow this winter and the opening thereof
IL too short for much new work. But
manufacturers have not been Idle in
me war years. and because Of war ur-
sercirs It has become more and more
the policy OF the factory 20 mako i'm
provements a. the need is seen rather
than to save up ideas for a coming
Years models. and II there are not 90
many brand new models there will he
20 many new points incorporated in old
models that It will amount to about the
same thing.
Mad Severest Tasx pn.ssAI>
Pacing has done much TO develop the
automobile. The high tension tests put
exceptional strains upon the whole cal
and develop weaknesses that are not sp-
parent In ordinary road use except in
lsolated individual cases. Races. how
ever, including nil OF the reliability and
endurance tests, at best are OF short
Duration.
On the other hand, cars used for war
work we're given the severeet kind OF
service under all sorts Of conditions for
continuous period Then, too, great
numbers OF war automobiles were under
one department commander. and whore
weakness or undue wear developed thie
man knew all about It and was able to
surcest improvements OF a constructive
value which would be Impossible with n
large number OF individually owned
cars
Take the case OF the universal Joint.
An individual may have trouble with
This part. 1t may be found worn out
AFTER the car has run a certain number
OF miles. The owner at once wants TO
know X that is tho life OF the universal,
or = he simply had poor one. The
commander having this experience sim
ply ascerts'ns whether there has been
trouble in other ears and the experience
or.g EN- ~ A.
10 knows what 20 suggest to the manu-
fac:urer.
II. however the manufacturer re-
'e'ves a complaint OF this kind from
The individual owner and there have
rot been a sufficient number to indicate
an inherent defect he questions whether
IS not due 10 some neglect OF The
owner and not due to faulty material
Or workmanship.
Design Is Found Faulty.
IN one of the training camps where
there were several hundred trucks In
use one after another Of them de-
celoped trouble in the condenser OF the
ignition system. Il was of reliable make
but the condenser had not been de-
signed Just right for the particular
service. The trouble led to tests. which
showed that the condenser design was
faulty, and II was corrected. The
manufacturer OF the system and the
manufacturer OF the condenser both
know 4 little more about condensers
than they otherwise would know, and
this same thing has happened in many
parts Of the engine. chassis and at
Achments.
Il is true that under this exceptional
strain there are many troubles devel-
oped which would not show In ordina ~
Use, hut nevertheless 1t has given the
manufacturer a very good idea as to
the parts which have a small factor
AZ safety. He has better knowledge
to-day OF shortcomings Of design and
~ the necessary corrective measures
Tie war has demonstrated that the
automobile Is more reliable and can be
used through n greater range OF service
than had been dreamed OF, At the
sane time II has shown the desirabillty
o. simplicity in design and OF aces
sbi.ty Of parts which require atten'
ton, which make II possible for tho
non-nechanic to drive and take care
q the car and keep II moving under
all conditions. Some motors had to te
redesigned. at least in part, because
of the developments in this laboratory