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Automatic clutches showed a gain in popularity and automatic starting was almost universal. Color schemes were mostly conservative, the high-priced and low-priced models being darker than the middle-priced cars. On the assumption that almost any 1934 car can go 80 m.p.h. speed had ceased to be a prime selling point. In some models double spare tires have been taken out of the front fenders and one spare concealed inside the rear-end streamlining. Trunk racks have practically disappeared.
GM's Six. Of all the motormakers which brought their glistening yearlings to the Show last week, proudest was General Motors. Its litter was six—a full line. Apple of its eye was Cadillac, its high-priced line at $2,395 for the V8, $3,995 for the V-12's and $6,650 for the V16. Built only on order, the V16 remained a limited edition. All Cadillacs have independent front-wheel suspension ("knee- action").
The man who is credited with developing Cadillac's huge, electric-smooth V16 is Lawrence P. Fisher, president of GM's Cadillac division and one of the seven Fisher brothers of body fame. Lawrence Fisher is now a notable art collector but he is also a mechanic who learned his trade at his father's forge and anvil. He had a new car up his sleeve for the Auto Show—a La Salle, completely redesigned and repriced at $1,495, a cut of $750 from last year's figure.
To make this price reduction La Salle Motorman Fisher discarded the traditional Cadillac V-type motor for a straight eight, which permitted him to narrow the radiator and taper the whole body in long, fast lines. Heavily streamlined and equipped with "knee-action" wheels, La Salle, as a newcomer in the medium-priced field, was one of the trumps of the Show.
Buick has rounded off its rear end to conform with aerodynamic principles but its design has not been radically altered. ''Knee-action" wheels, automatic choke and power brakes make for 1934 comfort. Oldsmobile this year added a low-priced six to go with its regular line of eights. More thoroughly streamlined than last year, Oldsmobile has all of GM's contributions to easier riding and driving.
Pontiac is not only the biggest selling straight eight in the U. S. but also the fourth in volume in all classes. It, too, had all GM improvements and slicker lines.
Chevrolet and Pontiac have a knee-action all their own—a lever arm acting on an enclosed coil spring. Chevrolet and Pontiac knee assemblies look like a huge shock absorber. In other GM models two yokes with an open coil spring between are used. Chevrolet is heavier, longer and more powerful this year.