MOTORing Through Time

Motor, Dec 2003

100 Years Ago: December 1905

Automobilists are clamoring for technical information on the vehicles of the day. MoToR publishes several articles to educate the auto-buying public, auto dealers and the repair trade. "Mechanical Briefs of the 1906 Models" begins a commitment by MoToR to inform its readers on the technological aspects of the newest vehicles-a tradition that continues to this day. "Motor Car Forgings" discusses the metallurgy of the forged steel components found in the latest automobiles, while "The Magneto" covers the various brands and types of ignition magnetos used, along with their features and faults.

50 Years Ago: December 1950

As the auto industry rebounds and tries to overcome the effects of World War II, a conflict erupts in Korea. Again, automakers are asked to cut back on the manufacture of automobiles and take on defense work. The consumption of steel, iron, copper and other materials for industrial use is curtailed. Despite record-breaking vehicle sales, the car companies' overall profit targets for building new plants and refurbishing and upgrading existing ones is not met. Many factories have not been modernized since before the wars in Europe and the Far East. Once more, automakers are asked to forgo their business priorities to help the nation.

90 Years Ago: December 1914

It's a competitive time for automakers. More than 100 brands of vehicles are being built using thousands of patents, covering different propulsion and braking systems, transmissions, wheels and tires. Consumers must ultimately decide which features, styles and components they want. To usher the process along, MoToR publishes articles debating the advantages and disadvantages of various industry offerings, such as light vs. heavyweight cars, chain vs. gear drive, wood vs. wire wheels and which type of shock absorber is best-friction, pneumatic or hydraulic.

40 Years Ago: December 1961

The prospect of engines that burn cheaper and less fuel is the subject of a feature story. The public demand for better economy spurs carmakers to research alternative designs. One answer may be the use of small diesel engines, deemed suitable for use in taxis and delivery and light farm vehicles. The drawbacks of the diesel are its starting and warmup times, noisy operation and rough combustion. More promising is the stratified-charge engine, which uses two separate charges of fuel and air, one of normal strength and one lean, burned in the same cylinder. The normal charge is ignited by the spark plug. This mixture acts as a primer to ignite the lean mixture in some other portion of the cylinder.

80 Years Ago: December 1925

The subject of sons following in the footsteps of their fathers is explored in "Why I Want My Son To Be A Mechanic," in which two fathers in the auto repair trade explain their reasons. William Vales says of his apprentice sons, "You've got to 'come through the grease' to be a good mechanic and I want my boys to have that experience. It has brought me a good living, happiness and contentment, and I know it will for them." James Foster, father of a first-year apprentice, points out, "Any young man who will properly train and equip himself in this field of work can have as fine a future as in almost any other occupation he might select."

30 Years Ago: December 1975

"How To Buy A Wrecker For Your Shop" lays out a formula to help shops decide what type and size of wrecker best suits their needs and budget. "The bigger the better" isn't the answer for every shop. The selection must be based on the type and weight of vehicles a shop expects to tow and the setting in which it operates-rural, suburban or city. Shop owners are advised to purchase a truck with a large V8 engine, a heavy-duty cooling system and a high-output alternator. Nothing less than a four-speed transmission with a heavy-duty clutch will do. Air or power brakes and heavy-duty springs, axles and frame are also vital.

70 Years Ago: December 1932

The Depression is devastating the automobile industry. MoToR relates the sad details in "What The Industry Is Talking About." Items include postponement of the New York Auto Salon, bankruptcy notices of several automakers and the cancellation of several industry conventions. One item reports a 55% drop in numbers of automobile dealers in the State of Minnesota to 800, from 1800 just three years prior. Even Ransom E. Olds, founder of the Oldsmobile and Reo motor car companies, has left the industry, to manufacture refrigerators. The Chevrolet Motor Company is now the largest producer of cars and trucks.

20 Years Ago: December 1982

The health of the automotive aftermarket is measured in a cover story that actually begins on the front cover. Three conflicting views are offered: It's in a depression and gradually dying, it's thriving and moving toward an eventual upswing or it's going through a flat period with no growth and no substantial decline. The gauges used to calculate the direction the industry will take are new-car sales, the rising cost of gasoline and the growth or decline patterns of aftermarket parts makers. Another yardstick is the problem of overbuilding repair centers by mass marketing merchandisers such as Sears and Kmart.