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Show FLEXIBILITY OF CARS IMPORTANT "Putting easy riding on a mathematical mathe-matical basis is a new wav uf ueiimu at comfort," says Murray Page But that Is the was ihc problem has been approached by engineers "For the past few years there has; been a steadily Increasing tendency j among buyers of high-grade cars to consider the question of how a can rides before they place their order. I in making demonstrations we are often of-ten asked to drive over rough road-and road-and with our cars it is a pleasure lor I us to make this test. "A fact which few of us realize, but which Is oftentimes painfully true, in that driving over ordinary city streets Is about the hardest test you can make of Hie real riding ease el b ear Uneven pavements, broken asphalt, numerous street car crossings cross-ings and unpaged side streets all present difficulties which are fre- . quentl? harder to surmount than even ev-en the roughest country roads. "Pavements result In a rapid si rii of short, quick jerks that produce- a ' most disagreeable and tiring vibra- I tion unless thej are absorbed in proper seat cushions. Street car crossing! and holet In 'he asphalt, like deep ruts, produce n Bevere jouncing strain that must be taken; up In the springB. "In building I ear that will ride comfortably under the varied conditions condi-tions of driving about town and tak-Ing tak-Ing '.ong cross-country lours, two , features must be carefully considered , First, is easy riding in the chassis; second. Is easy riding in the upholstery. uphol-stery. "The chassis con bo made to elim-Inate elim-Inate the first shock of rough roads, While properly built upholstery can be made to add the final touch of luxurv The problem becomes one for both tbe engineer and the upholsterer, up-holsterer, and even In the development develop-ment of tbe upholstery' the work ot an engineer is necessary, for the deepest cushions do not seem to gie satisfactory riding ease unless I properly constructed. The first place to get at eaiy riding rid-ing in the chasFls Is in the spring suspension. The rear springs act only to carry the load and are not in any way part of the drive system. They are shackled at both ends and are entirely free to act since the drive is all taken up through strut rods This flexibility results In shocks being taken up In tho action of the spring leaves before they reach the chassis |
