New Ford

Looks. Is the complexion of the motor highway to change radically or only in slight degree? That is the question which is everywhere asked when Henry Ford announces a new line of cars. Never since familiar Ford Model T first appeared (in 1907) has the change of complexion been radical. This time it seemed that a radical change of complexion must come. Last week a photographer waylaid one of the forthcoming Ford models as it whizzed along on a country road test in southeastern Michigan. The blurred pictures revealed a radiator on the general style of the Lincoln; a spring-suspension giving a lower front effect; a hood larger and more streamlined to the body than ever before on a stock Ford. Evidently, too, all four of the wire wheels were braked. But from the rear--yes? no? . . . No, there was no visible difference; a new Ford would be scarcely distinguishable from an old until you passed it. The highway had had its face lifted but would do its back hair as always. Acts. That motorists may be obliged to tread their accelerators stoutly to have a front view of any new Fords going their way, was suggested by a statement issued last week by Edsel B. Ford (president of the Ford Motor Co.), the first official announcement in many weeks of rumor. He spoke of the car as "an accomplished fact" and reported the results of the country road test, made one warm summer day over hill and plain, curve and stretch, the car had run: 27 miles the first half-hour. 56.1 miles the first hour. 110 miles in two hours.

Gas and oil consumption were "less . . . than any of our previous models." Top speed was 65 m.p.h. Getaway and pick-up surpassed many another type of machine. Works. Detroit wiseacres said that production on the new model would be kept down, at first, to around 300 per day. The Ford statement, however, said that all Ford plants were retooled, indicating a readiness to stride out rapidly towards the old Ford supremacy in mass production if the new models --and "moderate" prices--are well received.