AUTOS: Shrouds for Brightwork

All U.S. automobiles made after New Year’s Day will be sans nickel, chromium or aluminum brightwork. This was the decision made last week at a three-hour Washington confab between the automakers and civilian supply boss Leon Henderson.

The formal order, to be issued very soon, will forbid the use of nickel, chromium, copper or aluminum in nonfunctional automobile parts. These are the principal materials in the huge shiny grilles, glistening hub caps and sparkling trim which garnish the 1942 models. An important exception: bumpers, tagged “functional” after an acrimonious Government-industry semantic fight.

Tough as the rule sounds, Detroit was glad to get a specific rule on brightwork. Automotive engineers have stewed over the problem for months without knowing just what goal they were working towards. Furthermore, Leon’s order may not prove so tough. Stainless steel is not—as yet—on the list of verboten materials. Even if that is taken away, the automakers have plenty of substitutes. Ford has perfected an all-glass tail light; General Motors has some highly lustrous enamels; almost all makers have new decorative plastics. These should keep U.S. cars the flashiest in the world.