MotorTrend November 1950

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: Letters From Our Readers, MOTOR TREND; 1015 So. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles 35, California. AUTO—TRANSPORTATION OR NO? Gentlemen: I thought John Bentley’s article (“Is the Auto Just Transportation,” Sept. MOTOR TREND)… [was] good and for the most part agreed with the sentiments expressed. However, I am afraid that he and others who concur with his last paragraph are going to be sadly disillusioned. The day when the auto was fun, for most people, is past… But now… the average working man merely wants a smart-looking vehicle that will take him to work and on relatively short trips with the least exertion, discomfort and cost….…

ALTHOUGH we have editorialized on the subject of Motor Trials before, we again feel the need to state their purpose. First and foremost, Motor Trials are a reader service. We realize that persons interested in the performance and relative merits of new cars would find it well-nigh impossible to give each car the same comprehensive test, which, with the cooperation of the automotive manufacturers, we are able to. Secondly, we believe that our Motor Trials can suggest to the manufacturer, through an impartial, objective and unbiased viewpoint, possible improvements that might be advisable on their product. Motor Trials, we feel, are a valuable part of Motor Trend. Agreeing with us in this viewpoint are the many readers who write to tell us so and the hundreds of new car dealers…

PLANS are being completed to obtain many of the finest automotive creations in the United States for display at the First Annual Motorama which will be held in Los Angeles November 16 to 19, inclusive. This motorized equipment display will feature several of the record-breaking streamliners, roadsters, lakesters and coupes from the Bonneville National Speed Trials as well as top flight custom cars, sports cars and foreign creations from this area. With the spacious Shrine Convention Hall as the locale, Motorama will also offer a dazzling exhibit of motorcycles, boats and airplanes. The management hopes to procure a number of airplanes from local manufacturers which have not heretofore been placed on public display. In the boat field, it appears almost certain that the world-famous Slo-Mo-Shun from Seattle, Washington, sensation of…

KNOWN as “the automotive madman” to the majority of the public. Earl Muntz thrives on the publicity he receives from his now-famous nickname. In a recent move, however, it appears that Muntz is not operating according to his nickname but has made a wise decision. Jumping with both feet into the automotive manufacturing business, he has begun to produce a new car known as the “Muntz Road Jet.” For a behind-the-scenes look into the background, development and potentialities of this car, we take you to a round-table discussion conducted by your editor with Earl Muntz and Frank Kurtis, of Kurtis-Kraft, Inc. Question: Mr. Muntz, what is the new car that you intend to produce? Answer: This car, known as the “Muntz Road Jet,” is a four-passenger club coupe that has…

WHAT’S the price you will pay for a small car with amazing fuel economy, good acceleration, along with riding comfort? That’s what Kaiser-Frazer would like to know, for it is going to determine largely the public’s acceptance of its newest product, the Henry J. Kaiser-Frazer prefers to refer to this car as a “light” car. Call it what you will, it appears that the Model A is back. It’s not as cheap and is done up in modern style, but it looks like an automotive manufacturer has at last put out a car for the people. If the price is right (which will probably be announced by the time this issue of Motor Trend reaches the news-stands) and the war doesn’t interfere with production, the economy car will have made…

FINISH POSITIONS…