46 Miracles Ahead! 



In 1942, however, the automobile industry was converted to 

 war production. While setting records in the output of tanks, 

 guns, planes, and other equipment for war, the automobile 

 industry has learned a lot about using light metals, plastics, 

 compact engines, and new fuels for postwar automobiles. 

 Furthermore, the old automobile assembly lines have been torn 

 out to make way for war production; some tools and dies 

 have been scrapped, or are getting out of date. 



Figuratively rubbing his hands, Fred M. Zeder, chief engi- 

 neer and vice-chairman of the board of Chrysler Corporation, 

 declares: 



"As a result of the suspension of automobile production, 

 the industry will find itself for the first time, when the war 

 is over, able to approach the design and construction of 

 motorcars on a new basis. The war has freed motorcar engi- 

 neers from the traditions of the past, freed them from the 

 stranglehold of old machine tools and methods. Research can 

 now be directed at things as they should be, rather than as 

 they are." 



Engines Move Back 



Needless to say, all of the new possibilities for the car of 

 the future will not be adopted without a struggle. The pros 

 and cons on rear engines are being argued fiercely now and, 

 to be sure, you will be able to buy cars in the future with 

 engines up in front. Some engineers still favor that arrange- 

 ment. They contend that a rear-engined car will be difficult 

 to control at high speeds and that a constant weight on the 

 front wheels makes for a smoother ride. They also point out 

 that the necessity of keeping the engine cool requires that it 

 be up front so the radiator can get the benefit of natural 

 draft. 



Proponents of the rear-engined car say the weight prob- 



