THE SPRINGLESS CAR.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 226, 1 March 1928, Page 7

THE SPRINGLESS CAR.

A REVOLUTIONARY DEVICE Rubber Displaces Metal. Remarkable Results of Trial. We were recently able to examine and test a highly-ingenious springless suspension system which is the invention of Mr. Walter Lawton Adams, well known as an engineer and inventor (states the Motor). Mr. Adams is a great believer in rubber as a shock-insulating medium, and owing to the obvious impracticability of using a sufficient length of rubber cord in a motor car suspension he evolved the ingenious idea of employing rubber in the form of discs which could be strained torsionally. This is the essence of the invention, which has been patented throughout the world. A Remarkable Test. To give, first, the results of our test, this was carried out on a light Salmson chassis which has been fitted up by Mr. Adams with his springless suspension. The car was taken to a private road which is known to have what is probably the worst stretch of surface available in the London suburbs. It is, in fact, used as a suspension testing ground by several concerns and consists of waterbound gravel which is intersected by deep potholes, undulations and ruts throughout its length of IS miles. Suffice it to say that on any ordinary car, with normal springing and shock-absorbers, no sane driver would attempt to traverse this road at a speed higher than 25 miles per hour, and even at this speed he would do his best to steer to avoid the worst holes. On the Salmson with Adams suspension, however, the road was taken at 50-55 miles per hour without making the slightest attempt to avoid the pot-holes, and we ourselves drove the car and so can vouch for the fact that there was no difficulty in steering control. At first it was almost frightening to see the incredibly bad surface and deep pot-holes rushing towards, the little car at a relative speed of 50 m.p.h., but after experiencing the wonderful way in which it slid over them we felt perfect confidence in the suspension. The most striking feature was the entire absence of rebound, and yet no shock absorbers of any kind were fitted. Furthermore, the absence of any rattles from the chassis and bodywork—neither of which were by any means new—showed that, despite the excessive speed at which the rough surface was taken, the suspension was proving well up to its work of shock insulation. The radius arms are, of course, very efficient in resisting braking or driving torque reactions on the axles. The suspension system, as a whole, is considerably lighter than the corresponding leaf-spring type, is relatively cheap to manufacture, needs no attention and, as already described, confers unusual riding comfort. Finally, it is difficult to see how it could become damaged. A number of well-known business men interested in the rubber industry are supporting Mr. Adams’ invention, and there is no doubt that it will be developed rapidly.