Innehållsförteckning för December 1950 från MotorTrend

NOTE: David Ross, an industrial and freelance designer, has been connected with automotive design for the past 20 years—in his words, “he practically grew up with it.” In this article he lends his insight and background (having worked under Ralph Roberts, head of the design section at Briggs Mfg. Co., Detroit, where he worked on both custom and production bodies by Le Baron) to a subject that is always interesting—the car. of tomorrow. Here, Mr. Ross explodes many myths that our Sunday supplement artists have envisioned.—Editor Nearly all of us like our possessions to be different from those of our neighbor’s. We like them to express some individuality, but we don’t like them to be ridiculed. For that reason few of us care to break with traditions—suddenly and completely. We…

Detroit, Michigan—You can expect to pay a higher price for your new car in 1951…. The trend is being established by the independent producers as new models are introduced. Competent observers within the industry predict the Big Three will follow suit…. Those increased price tags result from the fastest wage spiral in automotive history. In a three-week period last August and September nearly 800,000 workers were awarded increases, plus other benefits such as pensions and improved vacation allowances…. Ernest R. Breech, executive vice president of Ford, explained it this way when he announced the Ford CIO wage agreement: “In the long run, wage increases can be financed only out of increased production. It is clear that increases in wages in excess of actual gains in productivity must be reflected ultimately…

Sports Car track racing experiments by the Midwest Sports Car Club have paid off handsomely, the public turning out en masse to see MG’s and Singers flip around the ¼- and ⅕-mile ovals at Lincoln and Peoria, Illinois. It looks as though sports car track events will become standard fixtures throughout the area. Naturally, the sensitive, super-maneuverable little jobs are capable of putting on a highly exciting show. If you’re interested in participation, drop Motor Trend a line for further details…. The Watkins Glen tragedy has already had a serious effect on the general public’s attitude toward sports car racing, underlines the great responsibility of competition committees in providing nothing short of adequate safety inspection of contestants’ running gear, policing of spectators.…Results of SCCA’s Thompson, Connecticut, meet: George Weaver’s Maserati…

Looking for a car with something different?—then the 1951 Nash may be the car for you. On long trips, the reclining seat (next to the driver) spells nothing but comfort. And if you don’t want to be bothered with making motel reservations, or if you don’t like to haul a trailer, the Nash is the car that provides you with a bed at all times. This comfort and convenience item is by far the Nash Statesman’s biggest selling point; not that it doesn’t have others, but even Nash’s advertising agencies play up this advantage in preference to others. After making arrangements with R. D. Bolt, Los Angeles Zone Manager, for a test of the Statesman, I received a ’phone call from Mr. Zimmerman of the zone office. When I arrived…

Some of the fastest cars on wheels will be featured at MOTORAMA, the motorized equipment exposition being held in the Shrine Convention Hall, Los Angeles, from Nov. 16-19. Many of the finest custom-built automotive creations on the west coast, some of which have never before been on public display, will occupy prominent exhibit space. The Sports Car Club of America, with a space allotment of 500 square feet, has planned an attractive display featuring several of their more outstanding cars. The AAA, leading automotive organization in the United States, will be represented in the show with a very complete display of racing cars, including several participants of the last Indianapolis 500, among, which will be the Grant Piston Ring Special (which Walt Faulkner drove) and the Novi-Governor Special chassis. Cars…

The third annual Watkins Glen Grand Prix was, for the first time, an international event and the only motor race in America, aside from the Indianapolis 500, to be so recognized. In its international aspects, the Watkins Glen event was a disappointment for other than two Canadian entrants driving MG’s, the contestants were as domestic as those to be found at a local modified stock car event or roadster race. Neither Leslie Johnson, the British champion, nor Lord Selsdon, co-winner of the 1949 French LeMans 24 hour race, competed, both of whom were to be entrants. The day actually had two stars: one, Erwin Goldschmidt, winner of the 99-mile Grand Prix and runner-up in the Seneca Cup race over the same distance, and Ted Tappett. The latter name was never…

IF YOU WANT TO SERVICE YOUR OWN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, the book that will help you do it is “Automatic Transmissions Simplified.” Written by Jud Purvis, a top service authority, the book is a planned encyclopedia of information on all past, present, and some future features of power transmissions. This book tells in detail the basic function, how the various units and systems work, and how to trouble shoot and service all types of automatic transmissions. Liberally sprinkled with photographs, simplified drawings, cutaways, diagrams and color schematics, this book will be of extreme interest to auto mechanics, salesmen, service station operators and car owners. Available at $4 per copy from the GoodheartWillcox Co., Inc., Chicago, Illinois. ⋆⋆⋆ CONTINENTAL SPARE TIRE KITS ARE BECOMING MORE POPULAR all the time, with the latest…

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. “WHO SHALL DECIDE…” Gentlemen: … The saying is that the three most popular automobiles, in order, are Chevrolet, Ford and Plymouth. Well, what I would like to know is what order do all of the popular autos in the US rank?.… Tony SteinbergNebro, Illinois —According to a national estimate from Ruben-Donnelly Motor Records, they rank as follows: Chevrolet, Ford, Plymouth, Buick, Pontiac, Dodge, Oldsmobile, Studebaker, Chrysler, Hudson, DeSoto and Packard, and Mercury, Nash and Cadillac; but according to R. L. Polk new car registration records, they rank as follows: Chevrolet,…

NOTE: In tracing the evolution of the automotive industry, it is impossible to do the subject justice in the short space of one article. We are therefore presenting the story of the modern car’s family tree in the form of a series. The author, Lewis B. Simon, has spent much time and effort in compiling this information and makes several grateful acknowledgements to the persons who aided with his preparation at the end of the series. The first in this series is concerned with pre-Revolutionary War days up to the turn of the 20th Century. More will follow.—Editor The story leading up to the highly refined modern car is a long and fascinating one; many volumes have been written about the industry’s history. Almost any phase, mechanical personalities, financial, legislative,…

The Cummins Diesel racing car made history this summer. First, it set new diesel speed records at Indianapolis by qualifying for the “500” at an average speed of 129.208 mph. Then, the same machine hit 165.23 at Bonneville this September, shattered four international diesel records, and set a total of six, in all. This new peak in diesel performance obviously means that important new steps have been made in increasing the output of the compression-ignition engine. It also means new vindication for Rudolf Diesel’s monumental confidence in his “Rational Thermal Engine to Replace Steam Engines and Known Types of Internal Combustion Engines.” Mercedes-Benz has already, with their smooth, silent diesel passenger cars, captured international economy records, and French MAP and Yacco diesels have rolled up an impressive string of long…

England: This year’s London Motor Show opened at Earl’s Court on October 18, and indicated a striking trend away from the long-adhered-to-prewar style. Body lines, it seems, are moving toward the modern and sleek, with foreign derivation, if any, from the tasteful Italians. The formula for British cars that satisfies both home and export markets seems to have congealed: economy, durability, and above all, quality in every detail. And, of course, the British sports car remains its world-beating self…. Described not as a sports car but as a “fast touring car” is the new Marauder, based upon the chassis of the lively. Rover 75. A shorter, lighter, and perhaps stronger box-section frame is used, the engine’s compression ratio is eased up to 7.6:1, and an 0.694:1 overdrive is optional. Twenty-five…

NOTE: This is the concluding installment of the very timely and important subject of insurance, covering new automobiles, trailers and minimum limits you should carry. —Editor Release of attachment bond: Another inconvenience that your insurance can offset is the attachment of your car following an accident. If you are several hundred miles or more from home on a trip and should become involved in an accident, it is possible that your car may be attached in a law suit following this accident. The usual insurance policy provides that the insurance company will post a bond to the extent of the limits of your policy so that if you are carrying @ $10/20,000 policy (not considered an adequate policy in 1950) your company will post a release of attachment bond to…