Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-04

The trend toward high road
speeds has brought about con-
Sideration of the question of con-
serving power through reduction
of resistance to the motion of the
car. Marked progress has been
made in determining the air re-
sistance. One Of the results of
these tests has been to carry the
Streamline to parts other than the
body, and even in the matter of
equipment there will be seen
Streamlining. Reducing the total
of air resistance decreases operat-
ing costs, as aviation research
and experimenting has taught
at the show will see quite change
in the exterior appearance al
though with the majority of the
manufacturers the general char
acter and individuality of the car
as whole is perpetuated.
To those who give more than
passing glance the bodies on the
1881 models reveal new trends.
These are not radical in design,
for the body designer realizes that
the public will not respond to
radical changes.
Generally speaking, the new
bodies reveal a flow of rhythmic
line obtaining closer harmony
than IN the past. The contours
are softly nodded, accentuating
length, but suppreSsing height
Wider openings to front and back
compartments, cleverneSs in hinge
attachment, easier entrance and
exit and use of anti-friction COM
pounds, providing permanent lu-
IRRIGATION of the parts subject to
feXing, all make for a quiet,
SqueakleSs design. Some body
makers employ a raised belt line
to emphasize the low appearance
of the car brought about by
deeper side body panels having a
slight outward bulge. Even roof
lines are undergoing a change,
being further Streamlined and
having an increase in the crown
at front There is a trend toward
all body holdings being pressed
integral with the body panels and
with the drip molding made in
tegral with the roof panels,
thereby avoiding the possibility of
rust StreakS The interiors of all
bodies, even in the low-price class,
have been redeSigned, resulting in
more room and comfort for the
driver and passengers Many Of
these interiors OF the cars in the
low priced and medium create the
impression of a big car. Interior
fittings and equipment and ac-
cesSory items are refined and har-
moniouS. New body hardware is
noticeable for its neater and more
attractive appearance. Many
beautiful creations in upholstery
will be seen.
Color Trends Toward Pastel.
The color trends for 1881 bid
fair to be inSthe main somber,
with leaning toward the pastel
hues. There appears to be an in
creasing popularity of green, and
with the darker shades leading.
Black again is popular, with
brown next. Blue seems to be
losing ground. Maroon also is
coming back into popularity.
Many new models employ a single
color for body, molding and
tenders, and there is trend to-
wards subdued colors. Wire
wheels are in color and in chro-
MUM. The tintS and combina-
tions offered are among the at
tractive features of the show.
The woman driver may find
many mechanical, electrical and
body improvements that will ap-
peal to her. From the operating
or driving standpoint the 1881 car
will be considerably easier to
handle under all driving condi-
tionS. Longer distances can be
travelled with the minimum of
fatigue. While clutches have
reached a high degree of me-
chanical perfection, the 1881 style
requires but a feather-like pres
sure to release, so that operating
in traffic is not fatiguing to knees,
calves and insteps. The steering
gear and linkage improvements
are such that the minimum of
effort is required in traffic, in
turning, etc.
Driving Effort Reduced.
Free wheeling and transmits
sions of similar design reduce
driving effort, and to those who
have not operated the new devices
it will be a revelation. Additional
comfort is provided by an adjust
able drivers seat and adjustable
steering column. Better vision is
obtained through the use of the
ree-spoked steering wheel, by
narrow pillars at the end of the
windshield, or by a fitting to
eliminate sun and headlight
glare. Also windshield wipers,
Which thoroughly remove moisture
or snow from the glass, return to
the extreme position which the
actuating mechanism permits,
thereby permitting unobstructed
vision in their area, which is i'm
portant. Electrical devices for
dissipating frost, sleet and snow
are making their appearance.
Controls, such as the starter, are
being more conveniently located.
More and more the spare tire is
disappearing from the rear of the
car and is carried in fender wells.
In many instances two spares are
supplied, one on either side; have
covers and are securely locked,
which arrangement improves bal=
ance, artiStically and mechani-
cally Balloon tires have been
improved during the past year so
that with ordinary care Seasonal