AUTOS: No End of Fins

Having upped its share of the auto market from 15% to nearly 21% with its high-finned, flying-wedge “forward look,” Chrysler Corp. is in no hurry to make any drastic changes. But while keeping the same finned look, President Lester Lum (“Tex”) Colbert announced some innovations in 1958 models designed to attract still more buyers. One noticeable style change is the addition of “control tower” windshields that wrap up into the roof as well as around, making it easier to see overhead traffic lights. New accessories include a rear-view mirror on the left front fender that can be remotely controlled from the dashboard, a defroster to keep condensation off the rear window.

For the auto industry as a whole, Colbert was highly optimistic. He foresees auto sales next year of more than 6,000,000 cars. There was good reason for his optimism. Ward’s Automotive Reports said last week that September new-car sales “are exceeding all expectations.” They are racing 10% ahead of last month and nearly 20% ahead of September 1956. Detroit took the cue, promptly stepped up production schedules.