Word: forwardness
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Dates: during 1930-1939
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...build a better one." Major improvements are in line and ride. Bodies are heavily streamlined, tires are bigger, hood louvers are set in a horizontal line. Like many another motormaker who learned from Walter P. Chrysler's Airflow models of last year Mr. Ford moved his engine forward about 8 in. over the front axle, thus equalizing the distribution of weight. In addition he lengthened the old transverse springs, mounted them ahead of the front axle and behind the rear axle, stretching the spring base to 123 in. but retaining the old 112-in. wheelbase...
Plymouth this year eliminated its lower-priced line to concentrate on the longer wheelbase. It abandoned independent front wheel springing but developed a new type of spring steel and, like Ford, moved the motor forward to improve the ride. Bodies are longer, roomier and pleasantly bulbous. Refinements in the motor are claimed to have increased economy...
...mechanical feature of last year's Show, independent front-wheel springing, was abandoned by some makers, improved by others and in a few cases developed for the first time. A number attacked the riding problem from the point of view of weight distribution by moving the motor forward. Free-wheeling is on the decline, and dual-ratio axles or over-drives permitting slower motor speeds at high road speeds are on the rise. More powerful brakes require less foot pressure. Crankcases are ventilated, generators larger to carry the load of radios and heaters. Prices are generally unchanged but several...
Chrysler had the misfortune last year to introduce a body type that was too advanced for its public. And it is probably small comfort to Walter P. Chrysler that more than half the industry has copied the engineering change his radical body made possible-engines forward over the front axle. Not all of Mr. Chrysler's cars were Airflows but investment in dies and tools was enormous. So this year he continued the Airflow but added a more conventional Airstream. The Imperial and Custom Imperial have overdrive as standard equipment...
...Plymouth (see p. 59) were Mr. Chrysler's only reservations when he signed on last year's streamline. This year's Dodge is still conservatively modeled but Airflow lessons in comfort and ride have been applied. Independent wheel suspension was dropped but the motor was moved forward and the front spring softened...