Evening star., 1935-01-13

affected the generator. Generator
capacities are up-up to . point that
takes care Of more exacting starting
requirements, radio receivers. more
and more powerful lights and various
other units which consume electricity
Actual increases in generator output
run as high as 20 per cent. Generator
cooling also has become an almost uni
yersal feature and automatic voltage
regulation, introduced last year In the
luxury class of cars, has extended until
it includes some In the low-medium
group.
Speaking of radio, as generators
tempt one to do, virtually all cars are
wired for the installation Of receivers.
The adoption Of the steel roof, Of
course, has necessitated finding q new
location for the antenna, but the engi.
neer has found that something less
than baf1ling problem.
The antenna located below the rum
ming board Is declared to be quite as
efficient as its predecessor In the top
of the car.
Cut-Away Chassis.
A glance at the cut-away chassis on
display at the show discloses that in
dependent suspension of the front
wheels has been abandoned by some
of its most enthusiastic advocates Of
last year. Those who have done so,
however, explain their apostasy as due
to the development Of new spring
metal which has an even greater rid
ng comfort than was achieved through
the use Of independent springing. Their
figures show the pew suspension sys-
TENS have a lower rate Of detection
than was the case in last years cars.
In connection with the discarding
of independent suspension-which has
not been as general as 1T sounds-the
stabilizer, which interconnects the
springs on either side of the car to
enable one to act as a brake upon
the DETECTION of the other, has been
more widely adopted. Instead of being
used at the rear, however, as was the
practice originally, it is now employed
at the front of the chassis.
It takes only a brief experience In
the actual operation of a 1885, model
to discover that designers have paid
considerable attention to balancing
brake performance against that of
engines. Power braking systems have
been adopted for cars in the low-me-
dium price tier. The hydraulic sys-
tenn has made further gains. Brake
areas have been increased in every in
stance and new methods of equaliza-
ton have contributed to the greater
efficiency Of systems operating on the
mechanical principle.
Brakes, In short, are of a quality
that enters them as talking points in
sales arguments-testif1ed in one in
stance by the manufacturers state
ment that the brakes on his light car
will stop it from speed of 80 miles an
hour in ~ seconds.
Brake Cooling.
Brake cooling has been improved
also and the adoption of new materials
for drums gives assurance against the
tendency to warp and score which
has been manifest In other years.
If automatic clutch control and
free wheeling cut less Of a swath this
year-and they do-the explanation
Is to be found in the fact that they
are less necessary. Clutch actuation
has been made so effortless as to make
the use Of these devices superfluous to
a large extent, although they are
available at extra cost if the car buyer
desires them.
While he has been focusing so much
attention upon making brakes more
powerful and both brakes and clutches
easier to operate, the engineer has not
neglected that other important con-
troll, the steering. Steering ratios
have been modified on the basis of q
more effective compromise between
precise control of the car at high
speed and relative ease in parking the
vehicle. Anti-friction bearings, de-
spite their greater expense, are gen.
erously used in steering mechanisms
even in cars in the lowest price class.
The chaste lines Of the new models
externally are matched by the tailored
appearance of body interiors. Body
hardware has lost the last vestige OF
ornateness and upholstering has about
it tasteful severity.
That inevitable focal point inside
the body of the car, the instrument
board, has undergone further changes.
To improve visibility. instrument
faces have been increased in size,
especially that of the speedometer.
Arrangements vary. In some In
stances, the smaller gauges, oil and
gasoline, ammeter and heat indie
tor, are placed within the face OF
the speedometer; in others. they are
clustered about it.
More Arm Rests.
Arm rests no longer are the ex-
elusive feature of the more expensive
cars. They are to be found In all
price groups, and in the driving COM
partment as well as in the tonneau.
The car makers have been generous,
too, in the number Of ash receivers,
and nothing short Of prodigal with
respect to small luggage compart-
ments and pockets. Every dash has
its small luggage compartment. In
some cars, those in which the inStru-
ment panel is centered instead Of
being located to the left in front Of
the driver, there are two dash COM