Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-28
SEATING COMFORT
!. HAS BECOME GOAL
Auto Designers Strive, Says
Observer, to Make Riding
Luxurious.
BY H. CLIFFORD BROHoW.

Since the automobile is that kind OF
q vehicle in which one travels for the
most part sitting down, 1t would be
logical for manufacturers of motor cars
to pay considerable attention to the
seating facilities. 1t appears that this i
is exactly what they have done, Tor
nothing more luxurious is to be found
in the reception rooms of the most
wealthy than is to be found in the seats
of a high priced automobile. In fact,
the seating arrangements are carried
out in a manner which provides for
greater degree of comfort also in those
cars which can be bought at more mod
crate prices.
The engineers who have perfected the
design in automobile seats have pro-
vided for a maximum of comfort for
motorists as they use their cars. Not
only are the seats upholstered so as TO
make for exceptional comfort for either
the driver or other passengers, but they
have been so situated as to provide
ample room for legs, so that crampeo
positions are entirely unnecessary.
Front Seat Adjustable.
There is a marked tendency to in
crease the width of the rear seat to the
point where it provides ample accom-
mediation for three passengers. The
upholsterer is providing greater num-
Der of lighter springs in the cushions
and is covering them more thoroughly.
More attention is being paid to Shap-
ing the upholstery to fit the natural
curves of the body. The front seat is
in many cases made adjustable. This
feature is of particular value to the
driver in that it makes it possible to
adjust the reach to the operating ped
ais to the point that provides the most
comfortable driving position.
Most automobiles have two seats,
with a capacity for comfortably seating
five people, two on the front seat and
three on the rear. There are, however,
quite a number of notifications of this
custom. In the coach, for instance,
while the capacity remains the same,
the front seating arrangement is usually
cared for by providing two separate
folding seats, instead of one permanent
seat for two people. In the seven-pas-
Senger car there is provided, OF course,
two extra seats, which are generally
collapSible, and when in use are to be
found in the space between the front
and rear seats. When not in use they
are practically out of sight and take
I'D no extra room. These two extra
seats, as a rule, because of the nature
of their construction, are not as deeply
upholstered as the others. They are,
in the main, for emergency use and are
constructed to meet emergency needs.
the rumble seat. This seems to have
developed with the idea of being able
to provide coupe or sport type OF
car. which ordinarily has capacity for
only two people, with a capacity of
four. In cars of this kind the per-
manent front seat may have room for
three people to ride instead of two,
thus, with the rumble seat, making the
car f1ve-passenger machine. For
merly the space which is back of the
permanent seat in a sport model was
used for carrying baggage. 1t was
found, however. that an extra seat
could be installed which could carry
passengers and baggage, although not
at the same time.
The rumble seat may be said to be
fresh-air product. If one is interested
a rumble seat on sunshiny day can
be guaranteed to produce the desired
result. If instead of SunShiny day,
however, the weather turns out to be
rainy the passengers occupying the
rumble seat are quite likely to get wet.
The rumble seat Is not noted for its
comfort, for it is in no way as COM
Portable as an ordinary automobile seat.
1t Is also more or less difficult to be-
come seated in rumble seat One
has to climb up at the back of the car
and sort of work ones way in grad
ually. If people are going in for long
automobile trips it is hardly feasible for
o passenger to expect to enjoy the tour
thoroughly in all kinds of weather If
he is assigned to the rumble seat.
A Folding Top.
1t seems as though the automobile
industry finds some way around all
difficulties as they appear. Without
doubt. sport coupes with rumble seats
are very popular with a number Of peo-
pie. This has created a demand that
something be done by way of protect
ing from the unfavorable elements such
members of automobile parties as may
wish to ride in rumble seat. To
meet such needs 1t appears that some
ones ingenuity has found express
sion in producing a folding top which
can be quickly adjusted so as to COM
pletely cover and protect from rain and
cold those who wish to ride in the
rumble seat. When this cover is prop
erly adjusted the automobile has many
of the qualities of the sedan. This
arrangement can be changed so that
there is protection merely from the
heat OF the sun overhead or If side
curtains are put on the protection is
more complete. 1t is possible to fold
up parts of this cover in such a way
that one is able to get in and out of
the car without any special inconven-
fence. This innovation for the benefit
OF motorists will likely tend to increase
the demand for automobiles with rum
BILE seats. However, when more than
two people are to be carried the maxi
mum of comfort is found in the sedan
type of body. and this design will, no
doubt. continue to be q favorite with
the more conservative and practical
person.