MotorTrend May 1951

Once behind the wheel of one of these two cars you recapture the first thrill of driving. You can flash across town quicker than the others — because the sleek narrow lines of the body make weaving in and out of traffic dead easy. You can command the open road — because the unique “flat-four” engine cruises effortlessly all day, up hill and down dale, at whatever speed you want. You can park in space impossible for bigger cars — because these models have a manoeuvrability you’ve never before experienced. You can take corners safely at very high speeds — because the suspension system gives you race-bred road-holding. And you can save money all round—o because you can get anything up to 50% increase in miles per gallon of gas.…

ALONG WITH such regular features as “Motor Trials,” “Sports Trial,” “Classic Comments,” and “Tendance Continentale,” next month’s issue of MOTOR TREND will also have these other timely articles: “Indianapolis Preview”—The inside story on the preparation for the racing world’s biggest event—the 500. Will it be the last one? “World Car Survey”—An analysis of all the world’s automobiles, giving you the lowdown on how YOUR car stacks up against such cars as the Italian Ferrari, the English Jaguar and the Russian Moskvitch. “Gas Turbines”—A roundup of the latest developments in this all-important phase of engine development. We feel that it’s only a question of time until a gas turbine-powered car appears somewhere for entry in a competitive event. “Rebuilt Engine Racket”—The story behind why some rebuilt engines sell at such fantastically…

FRICTION between motoring clubs is ridiculous. And when it gets to the point that it endangers the sport of motoring, we feel that it’s time for someone to do something about it. That someone is YOU. Any member of a sports car club knows how frustrating and aggravating it is to apply for entry in some competitive event, only to be turned down on the basis that he “doesn’t belong to the competing club.” This is happening all too frequently these days, and NOW, while the sports car movement is still comparatively young, is the time to correct it. Much can be learned from England in this regard, where the sports car movement has attained such a high degree of success. The basic reason for this success is the fact…

Letters published in this department are the opinions of the writers and are not to be construed as those of the editors. Address correspondence to: Reader Reflections, MOTOR TREND, 1015 South La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles 35, California. READER RESPONSE Gentlemen: …In [answer to] Robert Dauner [Jan. ’51 MOTOR TREND] concerning his ’47 Plymouth, here are a few ideas of mine I would like to pass on. I would put a ’47 or ’48 Super series Buick grille in place of the present one. Shave the hood and remove the chrome on the fenders and “French” them in. If it is a coupe or convertible, I’d put a continental tire cover on the trunk and lead in Cadillac tail lights to rear fenders. Rocky WonenbergFiler, Idaho RETURN OF THE LIMOUSINE?…

NOTE: Due to the many requests for information on where to contain hard-to-get parts, etc., MOTOR TREND has stalled this new columnn. If you’re looking for a car that you can’t find, if you have a car you’d like to sell or trade, check this column. We’ll publish any reasonable request, first come, first served. Limit your copy to 25 words and base it on any of these shown below. We reserve the right to edit where necessary and are not responsible for accuracy of descriptions.—Editor. FOR SALE— 1935 Auburn 653 coupe. Body solid, needs top, has heat, music, wire wheels. Price $200. GA 1-0373, Anthony F. Pirogis, 10520 Asbury Ave., Cleveland, Ohio. FOR SALE— Cragar, pushrod operated overhead “B,” Mallory ignition, Winfield carburetor, fully balanced, racing pistons, pressure lubricator,…

INDUSTRY WILL OPPOSE CAR RATIONING… INTRODUCTION OF 1952 MODELS MAY BE POSTPONED… DETROIT MAY BUILD “MOTHBALL” CAR FLEET… DETROIT, MICHIGAN—The spectre of serious unemployment continues to hover over auto plants in the motor city. Industry here is in a transitional period between civilian output and military production. During this time, expected to last three or four months, large numbers of skilled workers will be idle. As experts see it, automobile manufacturing will remain at fairly high rates until July. Then comes the changeover to a two-fold production job…. Also, the full impact of scarce materials will continue to hit car making. These factors add up to an unemployment load of nearly ¼-million by fall, in the opinion of Michigan Unemployment Compensation Commission officials…. Thus, one of the important tasks facing…