New Gar Design: Glimpse At Tomorrow

Chronicle (Levin), 14 March 1949, Page 8

New Gar Design: Glimpse At Tomorrow

Durfng recent years a number of revolutionary changes have taken •place in the motor in'dustry so far .as designing and styling are cohcerned'.' Npw another model has been placed on the market in New Zealand and, from overseas reporfs, it has been widely accl'aimed. This is the new Ford V8, which reveals from' road to rooftop a radie&l departure frbm the .traditional styling and engineering of' previbus Ford models. In actual fact, there are so very few features remaining ih the Ford "Forty-Niner," compared with- previous models, that the only recognition point for' casual observers will be the name "Ford" on wheels and bonnet. As Ford designers set out to givethe utmost importance to betteri styling and driving comfort, the first thing to be altered was the chassis. This was lowered closer to' ground Ievel — actually 71 inches above the ground when fully loaded — and in the dip between the f ront an-d rear axles were cradled the large, sofa-wid'e seats. By changing the position of the seating, the ride is both smoother and . safer. But with the completion of this task, the designers had - not ' finished in their search for greater i comfort. They then set about to change the standard springing system used in Ford cars for many years, substituting "Hydra-coil ' ; ^ springs in fronib, and "Para-nex longitudinal springs at the rear., Both these types of springs are. linked with hydraulic shock absorbers of aeroplane type. « Striking alterations and im-| provements in- bodywork are also ' noticed by people wno see the Fom "Forty-Niner" for the first time. This new car features the "silhouette" design — its roof being- only just over five feet above road- level. Visibility has been greatly inereased, and is most noticeable in the rear window, which has 88 cent. more glass than previously. For the driver, Ford have made driving considerably easier. The speedometer, and other dashboard gauges, are now combined in a large circular dial by the stedring wheei. This dial is illummated Cxearly at night by "Black Light, a wartime invention used in aircrait cockpits to light up instruments without producing a dangerous glare. These are but a' few Of the revo-. lutionary changes apparent in the ftew Ford V8, but others . may pe ,seen readily on inspecting the? csfr itself, now on display m the nearest Ford dealer's showroom.— P.B.A.