Indholdsfortegnelse for April 1953 i MotorTrend

OBVIOUSLY, THERE HAVE been no startling or radical changes made in engines in the low-priced car group. Manufacturers, with few exceptions, seem content to rely on previously established designs and developments. This is probably justified if it will preserve the existence of a truly low-priced field, because new engine development costs must be balanced against body and chassis improvements. The buyer may rest assured that manufacturers are not unaware of competition, that usually he will get his money’s worth, and that the conservative reliability of engines in this field has been established by more extensive customer usage than in the higher-priced groups. Engines in the medium-price car class continue to substantiate the trend toward high compression ratios and increased horsepower. The addition of new ohv. short-stroke V-8 engines by Dodge…

IT USED TO BE a simple matter to pick a comfortable car, provided price was no object. One picked a long one and a heavy one to bluff the bumps, and automatically got well-padded seats and what used to be called “luxurious appointments/'’ In those days before independent front suspension and foam rubber, the choice was not complex. In 1953, when all American cars ride reasonably well, the ultimate in luxury is still reached only by those of top price, but not necessarily because of their size. Comfort, however, may mean many other things. Do you drive in traffic, on divided highways, on a cow path? How much time do you spend in your car? Do you share your car with others? Your answers to these and other questions will…

THE STORY of modern motoring America’s quest for safety is one that would fill many books. There are those who maintain that truly modern highways and streets are the answer, and so they are—in part. Some say that the only licensed drivers should be those who can—and will—drive any car safely. Others claim that many accidents will cease, and that unavoidable accidents will not be so dangerous, when Detroit gives us cars that are really safe. Let us take a look at Detroit. First, what remains to be done? Every car should have directional signals as standard equipment, and many still do not. Long ago England adopted these safety devices on every car, perhaps as much for convenience in that damp land as in the interests of safety. Whatever the…

THE COONSKIN COAT and raccoon cap were still in vogue at the Ivy League colleges, Maine University’s “Stein Song” was being sung by young and old all over the country. Dad’s stocks were soaring skyward, and business in general couldn’t be better—business in general, but not the luxury car business. This was the “Roaring Twenties,” of speakeasies, Rudolph Valentino, and the bubble bath and stock market, but for such cars as Locomobile, Stearns Knight, Marmon, and Pierce-Arrow, the roar was mighty dim. Whether they knew it or not, death was just around the corner for most of the producers of luxury cars. All of these cars were putting on a valiant attempt to stay in the market, and in doing so were giving to the world some of the finest…

TODAY I SAW the results of spending more money on styling than ever before, with the purpose of further instilling in the minds of all that GM is master – whether it is the automotive Rembrandt or no. The greatest surprise of all was the extensive use of Fiberglas and the “professional” use of it. Each special car followed the usual standard steps in evolution: sketches, full-size clay model, plastic model, and finally the Fiberglas body. No brackets and braces of trial and error here…the cars are complete, as evidenced by little tags identifying each ignition key with its particular car, so that in the hassle of pre-show time the cars could be moved without engaging 18 strong men. Stylewise, these cars surprised me in overall concept. When I first…

What I don’t know about a car’s insides would fill a good-sized book, yet I’ve adjusted my carburetor, set my distributor, and found bow to save gallons of gasoline … all by using the Mile-O-Meter on my dashboard! INSTALLED IT EASILY I just followed directions … all the fittings were supplied with the gauge. I didn't even have to drill a single hole, since I used one of the screws on the windshield flange to hold the Mile-O-Meter itself. NOW I KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON UNDER THE HOOD Two of the scales on the Mile-O-Meter provide me with especially valuable information. One shows the relative miles-per-gallon I’m getting as I drive … the other continually registers the condition of my engine by measuring me intake manifold vacuum. Any change in…

For the flashing performance that makes you proud of your car, you need an “instrument check” on your engine’s condition. The new “Custom” model Motor Minder gives you this at a glance—as you drive. Checks Engine Efficiency Motor Minder gives instant warning of sub-standard performance by spark plugs, carburetor, valves, rings—indicates faulty timing of ignition or valves—forewarns against costly engine trouble—shows you how to save gas. The simplified, indirectly lighted dial of the Stewart-Warner “Custom” model can be read instantaneously … without the danger of “hunting out” a reading while moving at high speed. No meaningless figures or scales to complicate use. Effective on All Cars Motor Minder® gives accurate recording even on new high-compression engines. New swivel mounting … easy to install on any car. Beautiful hammered aluminum finished…

THE FAITHFUL synchromesh transmission, pioneered by Cadillac on its 1929 models, is by no means dead. It is standard equipment on every make and series in the low-and medium-priced fields, with the exception of the Chrysler Windsor Deluxe. In the luxury field, however, it is standard only on some Packard models, and available on no other make. Overdrive, No. 1 choice for performance and economy, is offered by every manufacturer except GM. Lincoln, and Chrysler, at an average cost of $105. Its semi-automatic fourth gear, which cuts in when the driver lifts his foot from the accelerator at about 25 mph. reduces engine speed, upping gas mileage and the life span of the engine. Conventional high is available for passing by pressing the accelerator to the floor at speeds up…

ACAR’S ECONOMY, or lack of it, must be reckoned as a function of the kind of life you lead. If you use a car constantly in earning your living, the most effective way that it can demonstrate economy is to start unfailingly and run tirelessly in all kinds of weather, with only minimum repairs and regular adjustments. If you trade your car frequently, either because you must drive hard and long or just because you like to have a new one, a low rate of depreciation may top your personal economy list by many hundreds of dollars. However much we may occasionally deplore the fact, it is frequently true that nothing succeeds like success, and it is thus possible to work out a case for the theory that an impressive…

CARS, WITH FEW exceptions, are available stripped to the essentials of basic transportation, but this isn’t the way America buys its cars. The motorists of today, by the sales statistics, demand more and more of the optional and extra charge items which make driving safer, more convenient and comfortable. A wide variety of equipment is available, but the prospective car buyer will be wise if he carefully evaluates the advantages of optional items from all angles. For instance, the buyer should make up his mind about the extra equipment he wants before delivery of the car. Original factory installations are relatively inexpensive when compared to what a dealer would necessarily charge for most optional equipment changes. One of the outstanding pieces of optional equipment is power steering. The trend toward…

FOR MANY YEARS now the sports car scene has been stolen by European equipment, and many enthusiasts have been waiting to see a domestic machine developed that would put an end to this supremacy. Recently in Los Angeles, Frank Kurtis, long identified with successful speedway cars, presented a car to the public that may spell finis to the complete European domination. The predecessor of this new machine was well on its way to winning the 500-mile race at Indianapolis last year but was put out of action in the last few laps by a steering failure. As you will recall, Vukovich, driver of the Indianapolis car, was well ahead of Troy Ruttman when he was forced into the wall on the back stretch. The roadability of the car in this…

NOTE: This is the third in a series of on-the-spot interviews with top men in the custom field. This interview is designed to show you what you get when you purchase the services of a custom upholsterer. Glen Houser, originator of the famous “Carson Top,” tells what should go into the custom upholstery you buy. — Editor. SCENE: Carson Top Shop, Los Angeles, California. Bob Behme has just entered, and Glen leaves his workbench, wiping his hands on his coveralls as he greets Bob. GLEN: Hello, Bob. What brings you here today? BOB: Glen, I’m here today because MOTOR TREND is running a series of interviews with men in the custom automobile field. Along with Dale Runyan, you are one of the leaders in the custom top and upholstery field.…

MOST CAR OWNERS will have the oil filter cartridge replaced in their cars an average of from three to five times a year. Add the cost of this item to the usual extra quart of oil required at each filter change and you have an expenditure which can be reduced considerably by the installation of a permanent metal oil filter. The Filterall unit, as it is called, uses a filter element that never requires replacement. which is not a characteristic of the cartridge-type oil filter. Only service that is necessary is the removal of the element every 2000 miles and washing it in gasoline or kerosene. There is the possibility, however, that after long periods of continuous use, deposits might occur on the element which would not be removed by…

DETROIT, MICHIGAN—Look out, Indianapolis! At least five race cars powered with semi-stock American passenger car engines are being readied for the annual Memorial Day merry-go-round. If all make the qualifying trials, it will be the first time in over a decade that Detroit’s products have been represented. They won’t be the big 331 cubic inch jobs which Chrysler proved could propel a chassis around the oval hour-upon-hour at speeds in excess of 135 mph (see December, 1952 MOTOR TREND). They will all conform to the AAA contest board’s-rule that Indianapolis cars displace no more than 274.6 cubic inches. Nevertheless, there are some pretty astute race followers investing heavily in such car riages who feel that stock ohv V-8s have the inherent stamina, acceleration, and top speed to run the Offies…

FEW STARTLING CHANGES have appeared in the new car bodies for 1953. Studebaker has seized an adventuresome initiative with the new Raymond Loewy designs, which are blessedly free from added ornament. Instead, they rely on three-dimensional form, including a distinctive concave side panel, to enliven an already fleet outline. The Studebakers are worthy successors to two other designs still unchanged, the Kaiser, introduced in 1950, and the Pinin Farina Nash, which first appeared last year. At first, these last two appear not to have much in common. The Kaiser is low and rakish like the Studebaker. the Nash is big and boxy Yet the Nash’s new cowl ventilator and window-sill trim and the Kaiser’s notched fender line share a more straightforward approach to automobile designing than has been customary in…

BACK WHEN the Marmon V-16 was a 200-hp marvel and the Duesenberg topped them all with 265, five would get you 10 that Detroit was about to exceed the 200 mark with a couple of mass-produced cars. Of course, 20 years have passed, but 1953, the year when Lincolns have 205 and Cadillacs 210 hp, marks the milestone at last. Not only that, several other makes are nearing the mark at increasing speed. Just what do these figures mean to you as a new car buyer? For one thing, it’s a rare road where you can safely floorboard the throttle of one of these cars for more than a few seconds. For another, their top speeds of well over 100 mph are unsafe to use at all on some roads,…

WHEN IT COMES to telling a prospective car buyer that a certain car “looks” better than another, it’s like telling him that he should like the color red instead of blue. It can’t be done. Every individual has his particular taste. That’s why he is an individual. On the other hand, what we can do in discussing style is to tell you about the new styling features on the ‘53 cars (where they’re not apparent) and tell you about those things that we’re certain will cause, or indicate, a styling trend. Styling on the majority of cars for ‘53 has not changed appreciably (with one notable exception), but the European influence is very definite. No doubt 1954 and 1955 will see many semi-production cars aimed at direct competition with the…

DON WILLIAMS, creator of the fabulous Donz cars, is known through-out the Southeast as a gifted and promising car designer and builder. Don has been interested in things mechanical, especially cars, since he was old enough to unscrew a nut from a bolt. However, Don’s interest in custom cars was not immediate, but rather grew and developed from a very sound foundation in paint and body work. His working background prior to the war and immediately after — but still before sports and custom cars were as popular as they are today — was in superb body repair work in his own shop. Whenever someone in Orlando had a particularly tough body job to complete or wanted a repair job which would surpass the original in finish and quality, Don…

HOWARD MITCHELL, young student of the Art Center School in Los Angeles, displays unusual talent for automotive design in the large sketch above. So does Henry Haga. of Milwau-kee, Wisconsin, in his sketch below. He is now attending the same school. These drawings, we hope, will serve as an inspiration to you—if you possess the desire to enter the field of automotive or industrial design. Last month when we announced this contest, we mentioned that all entrants must be high school graduates. However, this does not exclude you if you are graduating this June, so get out those drawing pencils and let’s go to work. Even before our design contest announcement, we at MOTOR TREND have been amazed at the interest shown by our readers in sending us their ideas…

BACK HOME IN INDIANA, where Herb Shriner grew up, the words Cord and Duesenberg were known to all. Perhaps the cars took on even more glamour for being built so close to home. Be that as it may. Herb’s first car was not one of these fabled chariots, but a homely Star with no body. When Herb really hit his stride theatrically, he would make up for time lost with some of the most glamorous cars ever seen. Proof that he has done so will be available to the public again this year, when his Second Annual International Motor Sports Show opens at Grand Central Palace in New York, to run from April 4-12. From Paris will come such cars as the Hotchkiss-Gregoire, the Gordini, and (with luck) the glass-tailed…