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.
