NEW YORK SHOW

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 188, 1 April 1932, Page 7

NEW YORK SHOW

INFLUENCE OF EUROPE. UPON AMERICAN DESIGN. INCREASE IN POWER. American press descriptions of exhihits at the 1932 New York motor show indicate that predietions that this would he one of the most interesting yet held was well founded. So great have heen the advances in mechanical design that it is estimated that all American cars for 1932 wili develop from 15 to 20 per cent. more power than previously. There are many new models, and eights now outnumber sixes, while 12cylinder engines have made a remarkable advance in numbers. The enhanced power has heen secured hy increasing eompression ratio, in some cases to as much as 61 to 1, and hy raising engine speeds. In some cases, it is said that special non-detonating fuel will be necessary to secure efficient running. Another important factor in increasing power has heen the general adoption of down-draught carburetion, and improved luhricating systems, while to prevent vapour loclcs due to increasing running temperatures, petrol i pipes are now generally run outside the frame. Much advance has also been made in the design of cylinder heads, to avoid detonation with high compressions. In the improved efficiency there is strong evidence of» European influence. This is seen also in the now universal adoption of the Dunlop wellbase rim, which in Britain dates from 1890, and in the popularity of streamlining of hodies and guards. It is estimated that the American output for this year will be about 2,000,000 cars, compared with 2,400,000 for 1931, 3,500,000 for 1930, and 5,300,000 for 1929. Values generally are much higher, but by reason of improved efficiency and equipment rather than heavy price reductions.