Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-08-21
1889 AUTOS DUE
TO Be UNUSUAL
New Models Two Months
Off-Bright CoIors Likely,
With Sleek Lines!

DETROIT, Aug. 20 (N.A.N.A.). The
1899 models are scarcely more than
two months away, and already the
motor industry. like a. child before
Christmas, has begun to speculate on
what the individual companies will
bring forth for festive fall sales sea-
SON.
Still avoiding any sign of extrava-
eance in expenditures, each of the
companies has its eye on the spot
light. And the spotlight means some
thing unusual. Shall it be striking
color, new body design, improved
transmission performance, brightness
of interior trim, smarter arrangement
Of headlamps?
The answer may not be found any
where in the list. Something new may
BE ready in exterior styling. The safe
thing to say is that each of the COM
panies would like to strike particular
note of appeal designed to retain for
a time the focus of public approval.
The 1899 cars are not going to be
1888 cars warmed over in bake oven
of advertising Technology. They will
show that both the body stylists and
the engineers have re-examined some
It the old problems of wind resist
anoe, speed in second gear, interior
roominess and low-slung carriage.
More COlors Expected
The pending previews for dealers
are expected, therefore, to be more
than a series of drab sales talks.
There is a reasonable basis for be-
lief that the models for next year
will carry brighter hues than have
been shown for several years This
effort is likely to be largely psychology
zeal, of course. The manufacturers are
seeking attention for their products.
Therefore yellows, tans, blues, ma
rooms.
The effectiveness of we'll balanced
colors for interior trimmings will be
emphasized Several of the companies
for 1888 struck popular effect in
blending upholstery and instrument
panels. With the wider use of plas-
tics along the instrument board, inter-
Tor hardware invites a multitude of
colors.
Headlamps again have received
much attention from the engineers.
AThe tendency of last year to reduce
make them an integral part of the
scheme of design by setting them in
the tenders, will be emphasized this
year. Automobile designers hold that
the position of the headlamps in the
total effect should be consistent with
their importance. They are an adj
junct of night driving. a small part
>of single day in cars life. and con-
sequently should not be overpromi-
nent.
Sickness Sought.
The designers are striving also for
sickness, and obtrusive details are be-
ing ruled out.
The effective appeal that such q
car as the Lincoln Zephyr has made
to the public will be apparent in some
of the other lines. Prospective buyers
will see the sleek appearance of the
greyhound translated into automobile
ratios-slender curves, suggestive OF
straightaway speed.
Heavy, bullying lines must be avoid
ed II the smartness to be found in
bringing the whole car close to the
ground is to be strengthened. Easier
exit and entrance will be obvious. The
running board will show further signs
of shrinking, step in the elimination
Of sharp. exterior details from the
automobile as whole.
Quite few models will rely less
this year on the radiator grille to fur
nish distinctive personality.
From the standpoint OF mechanical
progress, further development is ex-
pected in the elimination of the gear
shift lever. Finger devices within easy
reach Of the steering wheel are be-
ing brought within the range of the
low-priced buyer. The hand lever
protruding from the floor appears to
be, definitely on the way out, and.
IN the next three years, probably will
disappear.
In the way of riding comfort, addi-
tional improvement is on the way in
coil spring suspensions. These are
here to stay, so enthusiastic have own
ers been over the cars that have
adopted them since 1896.
Not to be overlooked again this year
will be the overdrive and the super
charger. They have done their share
in adding extra economy and power to
motor performance.
. (Copyrisht, 1888, by the North American
Y Newspa per Alliance, Inc.)
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