Evening star., 1939-10-01


manner not possible with q dark or
black wheel. Central horn buttons
are likely to be less used as more
steering wheels will be equipped
with die-cast horn rings which can
be pressed with thumbs without re-
moving hands from the wheel--an-
other Hafety feature. A further
step in the same direction is the
trend toward elimination OF projec-
tons On the instrument panel, with
. corresponding reduction in the
chance Of injury should passengers
be thrown from seats In an emer-
gency stop or collision.
Several makers are expected to
offer greatly improved ARRANGEMENTS
for heating and ventilatins, some
systems being for use in warm as
well rs IN cold weather. Such inn
provements win not disappoint rear
compartment passengers, rs they
are expected to be almost equally
effective front and rear. In GER
tain instances the heater will be
shifted under the front seat and
viii help to avoid Objectionable
cramping Of foot room and too great
locadzation of heating sometimes
occurring with large heaters ON
front compartments. Some heaters
win feed all or part fresh air; 9TH
eTs will depend largely on recircula-
ton. Artificial refrigeration for
summer cooling Of interiors has been
given much study, but is known to
involve dificult problems and rela-
lively high cost. 1t may be avail
able Is . rather expensive option on
some one or more makes, but now
appears more likely to be postponed
ON most, If not al, even rs op-
tional equipment, to some future
time.
Many makers will put plenty of
accent on comfort If not upon lux
ury and there win be NO lack of
interior refinements serving both
decorative and ornamental func-
tions. Certain fabrics described Is
entirely new" are to be Offered and
upholstery promises to afford COM
fort rivaling that Of Injurious home
furnishings. -Poamhke" rubber,
containing myriads of tiny air cells,
viii see extended use in place of
cotton stufnng for cushions, but Is
not likely to displace the latter in
. preponderent degree. It IS Ger
tain. however, that all makes win
have interiors possessing feminine
appeal because of the great number
Of women who drive, and whose
choice governs the purchase Of 20
large . proportion of cars
Plastics is not confined to human
surgery any more.
Plastics have become increasingly
important in creating beauty appeal
in automobiles, rs well rs replacing
materials formerly used and. hence,
are much more extensively utilized IN
the 1910 models than heretofore. Ap-
proximately forty applications of this
chemical product appear In the var
ious lines Of new cars.
Manufacturers have found plas-
ties especially desirable for the pur-
pose Of making refinements to exist
ing accessories. and have developed
many devices designed to add service
apd attractiveness to their new mod
els. Varied colors, transparency or
opaqueness can be obtained with no
difficulty. Whether scattered with
in the tonneau or only on the instxu-
ment board, plastics can be made to
harmonic With other fittings with
greater facility than other materials.
Automobile designers have found
in plastics an exceptionally salts
factory material with which to work.
Ornaments Of practically any style,
shape, or color may be readily Gre
ated. This Characteristic possessed
by plastics alone has made it pos
dble to procure designs for the in
strument board that add to the at
tractiveness of the interior,
Transparent plastic. such as
methyl methacrylAte, is used for
some accessories In place of glass be-
cause it Is virtually unbreakable and
at the same time crystal clear. In
some cars the clock dial ring, the
speedometer light conductor and
pointer. and the reflector buttons are
made OF this material since that
plastic offers many advantages.
Probably the most important Is that
it does not cause q glare from the in
struments when lighted at night. be-
cause it possesses unusual qualities
of light diffusion and edge lighting
due to its extreme clarity. Horn