The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-03-12
ON MOTOR ROW
Engineers Center
Attention on Small
Light Motor Car

Detroit. Mich, March 10.-Automo-
tive engineers, during the past year,
have given thorough consideration
in their research work to every part
Of the motor vehicle and to every
phase of its functi0ning.
The aggregate result Of these in.
vestigations and interchange of in
formation, through meetings of the
Society of Automotivc Engineers
will be the production of cars better
suited to present and future traffic
conditions, with more rapid acceler-
alton, quicker and smoother braking,
greater riding comfort, easier start
ing in cold weather, quieter opera
ton, greater operating and upkeep
economy, reduced engine wear and
mechanical troubles. and more dur
able and attractive finish.
Wide Engineering Field
The work Of the engineers has an
exceptionally wide range, and many
qualifications into other fields. 1t
involves mechanical engineering, cleo
trical engineering, and chemistry
studies in dynamics, hydraulics
aero-dynamics, sounds and light;
optical, physical and mental reac-
tions of the human being; time
studies on operation. training Of en-
ployes, systems of wage payment
and SO on. Reduction in cost is
almost as important as improvement
in the functioning and appearance
of vehicles, and the engineer is
therefore concerned. not only with
the development Of design of the We
hicle and it's accessories, but also
with production methods in the fac
tory. The public in general, how
ever, is interested chiefly in the
finished product and cares little
about manufacturing methods and
processes.
Engineers are always studying and
working from a year to several years
ahead Of their product. Methods, de-
vices and designs that they are dis
cussing this year may be incorporat.
ed in few makes of car, truck and
motor-coach next year and become
general pratice two or three years
hence.
Interest in Small Car
At the present time, for example,
interest is centercd largely on the
small, light motor car. Any such
car, to win popular approval. must
have highly efficient little engine
and be capable of quick acceleration
and high speed. The way to this
type of new American car probably
has been blazcd by the builders OF
the little racing cars for the In.
dianapolis Speedway race last year
which were driven by eight-cylindel
engines of only 91lacubic inches
piston displacement and turned up tc
from 5000 to 1000 +. p. M, develop.
ing $50 horsepower and all super.
charged.
While it seems unlikely that en-.
gines Of this years small car models
will be supercharged, the great
amount Of study that is being giver
to supercharging racing engines anC
airplane engines doubtless will result
eventually in solution of the prob
lem Of supercharging the road We
hicle satisfactorily to increase it.
efficiency at the higher car speeds.
Revival of Interest Evident
Two radical departures from pre-
vailinr passenger car practice were
embodied in racing cars that MAJ
influence future automobile develop
ment profoundly. They have attract
ed the serious attention of engineer!
; and were described by the designer
ut the summer meeting of the So
ciety Of Automotive Engineers las
June. One is a two-cycle valveles'
) engine, in which the intake and ex
haust ports are opened and close.
I by rotor, thus eliminating valve
and valve operating mechanism tina
commonly cause much trouble
! Other designers are working on tn
rotor idea, which is likely to be in
! corporatcd in some new engines o
j both the two-cycle and the four
cycle principle. A revival of inter
est in the two-cycle type is evi
| dent