The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-02-04

much of this is relatively unim- portant. Exciting enough are the things that alter or control the whole situation in design, style and performance.
 Power Increase
 It is also important to note which way the automobile is headed in speed, power, stopping ability, appearance, safety and riding comfort. There are now 54 models with motors developing upwards of 80 horsepower, IS with motors that deliver 125 horsepow- CT or more. The motors of 10 models of Americantmade cars now rate 150 horsepower CT more, while only 4 have less than 80 horsepower. Five years ago when the 1890 models were being proud ly exhibited there were 35 chassis models with engines developing so horsepower or less. Such facts have deep significance because they are not only important in themselves but they explain why the latest cars are being safe- guarded with an all-steel top, low center of gravity, side bumpers, 6dlGty bLdS6 dll AOW pIC5- sure tires, more accurate steering, better visibility and much more reliable brakes. These 1885 cars cannot help but travel faster. One of them Is certified to do 100 miles 80 miles an hour one of the new popular priced eights still has 31 per cent of its horsepower in re- serve.
 Increase In Bra<ing Power
 Such facts clearly explain number of other developments. The marked increase in brakinS power IS based on a rough work ing formula to the effect that an 80 horsepower car should carry brakes capable of developing 500 horsepower for stopping ability. Thus we find wider brake drums and shoes, finer materials for drum composition, better brake cooling and wider use of the self energizing principle. Four manu- lecturers who formerly champion ed the mechanical type of brake have switched to the hydraulic type for their newest products. This does not mean exactly what 1t might have meant several years ago because the latest in hydraulic brakes Is in reality, mechanical braking of the newest type with fluid lines, instead of rods or cabels, to actuate these mechanical brake shoes. There is strenuous effort on the part fengineers to devise brakes that will be trust worthy at higher speeds. Since the self-energizing type of brake Is one that automatically adjusts its power to speed conditions the more capitalized control of an hy- draulic system makes rather log ical combination. We have also passed the point where the driver need exert himself to actuate the brakes. Hence the popularity of the vacuum brake assister, com monly called a brake booster"
 A Welcome Change
 Moving motor and body mass forward for the purpose of pro- viding marked improvements in the riding comfort of cars in all price classes has brought about a welcome change in braking. For many years engineers have req lized that when car Is brought to a quick stop the forward tipping of its weight lightens the rear end and encourages the rear wheels to lock and slide, yet as late as 1034 the great majority of cars were shipped from the factory with braking power equally divided be- tween front and rear. Tests with the newly designed cars, fo course, demonstrated the need for doing l what many service man had done effectively where rear wheels de- veloped a chronic habit of lock- ing.