Next 50 years

[MCosgrove@domain.elided]

Was looking at the March 1956 R&T over the weekend and came across an
article entitled "Your Future Car--Some Down to Earth Predictions by the
Editor."  It shows the difficulty of long term prognostication and the
value of 20-20 hindsight.  With some quotes and some paraphrasing:

John R. Bond correctly decided that steam power was not a power plant
option, electric depended on the batteries available, and atomic was out of
the question.  What's left?  Internal combustion.  What's ahead?  Diesels?
None for 10 or 20 years.  It is doubtful any large segment of motorist
would accept the noise and roughness, or the added first cost and weight of
a diesel.

Power plants will be gas burning.  Fuel injection is very doubtful, at
least in popular priced cars.  The V-8 will predominate but the inline 6
will be retained as the economy option.  Someone may offer a V-6, but as a
type it is not likely to become widely used.

Aluminum?  Yes, in blocks but heads will still be cast iron.

When aluminum takes its rightful place in engine castings and when
transmissions go aft, we shall see the end of power steering.

Brakes...the disc brake is one answer but don't discount the old reliable
drum brake.  Note that no successful Grand Prix car has yet used disc
brakes...and if they were half as good as some people think they are, both
Ferrari and Mercedes would have used them 3 years ago.

In the same magazine, for sale:  1939 2.9 liter twin blower Alfa Romeo.
winner 1st Watkin Glen race.  $3500.

Doesn't look like a lot of money now, but that was a decent year's salary
in 1956.

Mike in Texas
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