The Washington times., 1928-10-17

on our streets. 1t did get smaller.
least. Now, the trend is in the
other direction.
Even in the field of the low
priced car, inches have been added
to the wheelbase. Other remedies
found more effective.
Now, what does longer wheelbase
mean in the matter Of comfort?
Yhe first thing to- suggest itself
is greater roominess. There is
plenty OF room for avoiding those
eramped postures that are 50 con-
ducive il fatigue. The front seat
has been moved backward, but not
to the discomfort OF the rear-seat
passenger, for the distance between
the seats has been increased.
This is particularly noticeable in
the coach models, 50 popular during
the last few years.
Seats Advanced
Seats are not more comfortable
only in this respect, however. Rear
treads have been increased with the
result that seats have been in
creased several inches in width in
a large number of cases.
After remaining fairly static as to
improvements for a number of
years. seats really have become inn
portant items OF consideration in
other ways than mere dimensions.
Finally they have been made to
conform to the general contours OF
the human anatomy.
One sees many fOrm-1tting seats
today. and more seem to be in the
offing. They mean something.
Further than this, there have been
a number of changes in the design
of the springs used in the automo-
bile seats. Saddle springs have
been adopted by a number of manu-
facturers. Different methods Of pad.
ding and different materials are
used by others, all to very good eff
feet.
But seats are by no means the
whole story of the latest cars
greater comfort Don't overlook the
changes in springs.
While therS has been no real uni
formity in the method pursued by
the engineer in changing the springs.
all seem to have been uniformly sue
cessful in getting genuine comfort.
Springs. both front and rear. are
longer. many Of them changed as to
arc; they have fewer leaves. but
wider ones: new metals are used in
their construction, and almost in
every case some device for dampeD-
ing out recoil has been adopted.
The lowering OF the body. through
dropped frame or some other
| practice, has resulted in significa Mt
contributions to comfort. For one,
| 1t has given the car road-clinginR
capacity that makes high speed pos
| sible with an amazing measure of
| safety. For another. it has permit
| ted a better distribution Of weight.
with a better ratio of sprung to un-
| sprung weight.
Brake pedals Nnd all other levers
and controls operate with a mini.
mum expenditure Of energy on the
part of the driver.
Calm. Ease. POise
An appraisal of the most modern
car in respect to it's contribution to
mental calm. ease. poise and con-
| fidence begins with the braking sys-
! tenn. The two. wheel brake has passed
out or existence. The four wheel
variety proved now in four years
/
Even the smallest ears employ this
| type of brake mechanism.
Everyone agrees that pickup is
| an essential quality OF the worth.
| while. automobile. But all agree
| even more readily that slow down
| is still more vital characteristic.
How can one have moment Of
comfort in a car whose brakes are
such az To create the gravest doubts
when the need for a sudden stor
arises? Accident records indicate
that some try TO get by" with in.
| adequate brakes. But there is nc
peace for them when driving their
cars; even if they are fortunate
enough to escape mishap, their
arriving is so many minutes of misery
instead Of A period Of pleasure.
The present-day models will occa
sion no such misera BILE moments on
the part of its owners. They have
brakes that are adequate even to
the needs imposed by the tremen
dous increases in power incorpora ted
in their engines.
With its lof1 wheelhase, its greatly
improved springing system, its room
Ter body, greater safety and ease OF
operation, its more flexible power
plant and otheE impressive advances
the newest line of automobiles, from
beginning To end, may he rated as
the most comfortable and safe ever
constructed.
(capyriRht, ieaaA