James Flink argued long ago that the 1930s automobile industry in the United States was characterized by a "technological stagnation" when compared to previous decades. And that in the same vein, the 30s catchword was "planned obsolescence." Perhaps, but how does one account fort the fact that in 1939 there were still more then 2 million 1927 and earlier Model Ts on the road?
The 1930s were years of substantial changes to the functionality and design of the American automobile. It was about more car for less money. Brakes were increasingly hydraulic rather than mechanical. Front wheels were independently sprung, wheels were demountable, transmissions had synchromesh in the top two gears, wood was eliminated from the body structure, and chrome replaced nickel brightwork, increasingly used as the decade unfolded. Finally, the very shape of the typical automobile became rounded, as exemplified in GM's "turret top "models. Alligator hoods replaced the two-sided arrangement of hood openings that preceded it, making access for repairs somewhat harder at a time when flat rate charges became commonplace.
The Oldsmobile Viking proved to be nothing more than a transitional model to the 1930s. It still had wood wheels, mechanical brakes, and semi-elliptical springs. But ti did have new technology as well -- a mechanical fuel pump and an 8-cylinder engine with a cast monoblock, that was a first before Henry Ford's V-8. Along with the Oakland, Pontiac's companion car, the V-8 was sold only until 1932, then abandoned for the straight 8 at GM until 1949.
That said, the Viking is a noteworthy car historically, and more should be said about it.
No comments:
Post a Comment