Efficiency, appearance and comfort will be the catchwords of the car of the future. Extreme simplicity of chassis will be needed to reduce weight and permit the use of substantial sheet-metal fenders, mud-guards and bodies. The center of gravity should be as low as possible consistent with good appearance. For comfort the width and angle of seats will be studied more carefully and the doors will be wider.
A new type of spring suspension is coming to the fore, known as the three-point cantilever. Cars adopting it will have a certain wheelbase and a longer spring base. A car equipped with this new mechanism has been driven at 60 m.p.h. in safety and comfort without the use of shock absorbers or snubbers. It is the opinion of the author that this new spring suspension will revolutionize passenger-car construction.
The author sees a strong tendency toward the sleeve-valve four-cylinder engine, stating that this type improves with use and compares favorably with the six-cylinder poppet-valve engine as regards vibration. There can be no great future for the eight-cylinder engine because of cross vibration, or for the twelve cylinder on account of weight, cost and inefficiency.
It is suggested that the time has come for Government inspection of the materials used in car construction and their treatment. A car designed to weigh 1800 lb. should not be allowed to travel above a certain speed unless suitable materials properly heat-treated have been used in its construction. Manufacturers should strengthen their metallurgical and inspection departments.
