December 14, 1940

Original Source Documents:   FTC - Payne Testimony

Contributor:    Bill Spear

Source:  U.S. National Archives


 

370

 

1          Q         What was the subject of your conference?

 

2          A         Light car construction, and be gave me the military

 

3          characteristics that be wanted in a car, and he asked me

 

4          what my opinion would be of the dimensions of - and the

 

5          size for a car to perform and do what they required and

 

6          fulfill theme military characteristics, and I gave him the

 

7          specifications.

 

8          Q         That did you give him?

 

9          A         They were approximate. I told him it must be a

 

10        short-wheel base car, between 78 and 80 or 81 inches. It

 

11        should be narrow gauge between 47 and 48 inches.  The

 

12        silhouette was of great importance, and I suggested a

 

13        36 inch silhouette to the cowl.

 

14        The length overall was to be around 126 inches. The

 

15        ground clearances was 8-1/2 inches at its lowest point, which

 

16        is the differential.

 

17        At that time the chassis would not have a windshield

 

18        and would not carry a spare tire.

 

19        Q         Was it to have two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive?

 

20        A         It was to have four-wheel drive, and the weight was of

 

21        vital importance.  They wanted the car to weigh in the

 

22        vicinity, about the same weight as a motorcycle with side-

 

23        car, which is about 1100 pounds, so I suggested between

 

24        1,300 and -- 1,200 and 1,500 pounds.

 

 



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