Evening star., 1934-01-28
PUBLIC IS ARB|TER
OF MOTOR STYLES.
enulneer Says Its Verdict
Can Upset Best Ruling
of Design Profession.

The most dificult thing the automo-
hilo engineer faces is the fact that
everything he does has to be proved
twice. Every new idea he has must go
through the most searching tests to
prove itself before it goes into a car.
Afterward, no matter how conclusive the
orst proof, it must meet the approval
Of Q motoring public which becomes
more exacting as its experience with
automobiles grows greater. These
points are made by ]. G. Vincent, vice
president Of engineering OF the Packard
Motor Car Co., who adds:
Possibility Of reversal Of first judg-
ments when the case goes to the high
court of public opinion is lessened by
the use of proving tools with which the
automobile engineer Is now equipped.
Most important among these are the
great proving ground now operated by
3ome Of the automobile companies.
Here a new car or any new feature
ally hundreds Of thousands of miles OF
driving over nearly every kind Of roads.
Weak Points Corrected.
"The proving grounds test in most
Eases eliminates mechanical features
which are not based on sound engineer
ing. Features which have been adopted
for other than engineering considera-
lions have always been short lived when
found by the public to be unSound from
an engineering standpoint. Some OF
these in the past have been forced into
automobiles by popular insiStence. They
were, however quickly sentenced to the
discard by the public.
ivn
partment receives almost countless sug-
Gestions for new automobile features.
The motor car has become so intimate
IN article in American family life that
nearly every owner gives some thought
to design or engineering features. Seri-
GUS consideration is given every sug-
eestion that is received.
Several worth while motor car fea-
lures have come from such suggestions.
They found permanent places in auto
mobile design because they proved to
be sound engineering.
Most difficult Of consideration are
new ideas which have to do almost en-
tirely with the appearance Of cars 1t
3 hard to prove in advance how we'll
elements Of appearance will wear with
The public. Perhaps this is good rea-
son why some engineers have been
somewhat conservative and brought
about such changes gradually.
Thinks Attitude Appreciated.
'@This conservatism, I believe, has
been appreciated too, where it has been
seen by the public to be in the public
interest and with a keen eye to the
future, and where good engineering con-
Siderations have stood out against the
lure of immediate sales possibilities.
However, appearance of cars Is OF
kreat importance with the automobile
engineer. It has grown to such i'm
portance that there has come into being
practically new profession-automo-
bile styling. The styling division of an
automobile engineering department now
occupies first line position.
"An important fact is that styling
goes along hand in hand with general
engineering Of the car. 1t was recog-
nized some time ago. for instance, that
ears would be much more pleasing to
the eye If they could appear to be lower.
Simply dropping roof lines. as was done
in some cases, proved unpopular. PeO-
pie wanted lower appearing cars but
they also wanted the comfort Of ample
head room.
Built Up from Ground.
Results were accomplished by de-
signing this much sought lower appear
ance literally from the ground up. The
result was lasting because it was ac-
complished throughout by sound engi-
neering.
without doubt there is going to be
considerable change in motor car ap-
pearance in the next few years. The
concentrated effort that is going into
this part of automobile design now
would naturally bring changes There
is little question. however. that fea-
lures of appearance which will pass
Anal Judgment in the superior court of
public approval are those which are
accompanied by sound engineering and
which also in no way interferes with
the present comfort, safety, ability and
ease Of handling"