Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 92.djvu/692

 Three Automobile Bodies in One

Here is a car body that can be changed on the road to any of three styles

���The Body in Process of Transition and in Use as a Runabout

��The changes are made by the use of a folding and sliding superstructure. When the car is used as a runabout this is slid back and swung down on a hinge into the rear seat portion of the tonneau. To change to a landaulct the superstructure is raised to a vertical

��position and side panels are opened out from the front portion of the body to enclose the sides. The coupe is made by sliding the entire top forward in slots that are provided in the sides and swinging up a rear deck from under the rear seat to fill up the space left

��"T"TTHICH automobile do you like W best?" Ask a woman and she will name the one with the body that most appeals to her. Ask a man and he too will express his taste in terms of the body. For the body is the most exposed part of the car; it expresses a car's individuality. As a result, there is a greater and greater demand for bodies of distinction or for those which have some particular feature that the greater number lack.

With the demand for better looks in automobile bodies has come an equal demand for greater comforts as expressed by convertible bodies which can be thrown open to the gentle breezes in the balmy spring days or closed and heated in the bleak winter months. One of the most ingenious automobile bodies designed to fulfill these conditions of individuality and comfort is that shown in the accom-

��panying illustrations. It is really three bodies in one, for it enables the car to be changed in a few minutes into a run- about, a landaulet with the driver out- side and the passengers in their own com- partment, or a coupe with the driver and the passenger on one enclosed cross- wise seat. These transformations may be made on the road at any time and with- out the addition or removal of any parts, whereas in the early days of body design, such transformations would have neces- sitated the employment of three separate chasses, each with its own particular body.

The metamorphosis is accomplished by using a sliding and folding superstructure. This can be folded down and concealed, or raised and used in either of two positions, thus forming three distinct types of car.

The advantages of such a body as this are obvious. One has a universal car, suitable for all occasions, and all weathers.

���This is the convertible Ixxjy .-is it appears when it is used as a coupe

��Showing how body is changed from coupe to landaulet by sliding top back

��All the specialized knowledge and information of the editorial staff of the Popular Science Monthly is at your disposal. Write to the editor if you think he can help you.

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