The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-12

A radically new Chrysler con- vertible coupe known as the "Thun- derbolt'', which is creating a Sen- sation wherever shown. will be on display tomorrow at Nathan Hale Motors, Inc, showroom, 481 Meadow street. Local motorists will be in- terested in seeing this latest and most sensational development of advanced aerodynamic design.
 Tn this car, Chrysler Corporation engineers see a forecast of the fu- ture motor car and a new milepost in the history of aerodynamics and fashioned by function" design. The design is the result of collabora- tion between Ralph Roberts and Chrysler engineers. MT. Roberts work has influenced motor car de- sign for 20 years all over the world.
 The development of racing cars had large influence on the design of Chrysler's latest example of ad- vanced aerodynamics. Chrysler en- gineers have followed the program of these record-setting machines very closely for the last Is years and have learned from them the importance of body design in in creasing speed, roadability and handling ease. These practical dem- onstrations, plus the most eXhaus- tive studies of aerodynamics in the wind tunnel and elsewhere, con- ducted by Carl Breer, Chrysler Corporation executive engineer and his associates, resulted in the crea- ton of the Chrysler Aairflow car ill 1884. This car was the first to be present true functional design and its influence on all motor car de- sign has been tremendous. Chrysler engineers predict that the new "Thunderbolt" is destined to have an even greater influence on design than did the original Chrysler Aair- flow.
 In the "Thunderbolt," it is point ed out by Chrysler engineers, eff ciency and beauty go hand in hand. The full-width, sleek-Sided body is radical departure in pleasure car design. The low, broad hood cuts down frontal resistance and the smooth-swept surfaces of front and rear, the flush glass and curved, sloping one-piece windshield and the absence of running boards re- duce turbulence when the car is in motion.
 Chrome is used only to give em- phaSis to functional lines and there is nentire absence of "gimcrackS" and gingerbread work. There is notable lack of bulges, ribs, corrug- ationS and other divces that have no part in functional design. Broad ness of beam in this car means great interior roominess.
 A unique feature of the "Thun- derbolt" is that it has a steel top which completely disappears at the touch of button. This is a radical advance in design since the owner has the choice of riding in an open or closed car and at the same time be provided with all of the safety of steel top construction. A single button controls the raising and low ering of the top. Automatic push buttons alos control the raising and lowering of the window glasses on the "Thunderbolt."
 Headlamps on the "Thunderbolt" have retractable lids and a perfectly fixed mounting. The lamp unit is the regular Sealed Beam unit but the lamps are mounted in the front lenders in thoroughly streamllned fashion. Further streamlining is eyl. denced by the fact that every ace eessory on the "Thunderbolt" ins strument panel is thoroughly in keeping with the custom body ap- pearaiice of the rest Of the ear. The instrument board is leather covered while against this leather back.