The Race Is On

Young Henry Ford II, who has hinted about a new, low-priced car, last week finally spoke out loud. He announced that Ford Motor Co. will form a new division to make a car to sell for "less than $1,000." The first models will be ready early in 1947 and mass production should get under way shortly after. Young Henry kept details of the car to himself. But motormakers guessed it might be a 1947 counterpart of the famed old "Tin Lizzie." In fertile Detroit, which last week was preparing to celebrate the automobile industry's golden jubilee (see cut), General Motors too was gestating, planned to bring forth a low-priced Chevrolet. The newly formed Chevrolet Light Car Division asked the Civilian Production Administration for authority to erect two factories near Cleveland to build its new product. It hoped to be in production by the middle of 1947, kept mum on specifications and price. Quietest of all: the Chrysler Corp., whose plans for a light car were still only a Motor City rumor.

The only talkative contestant in the race to produce a cheaper car was James D. Mooney, bouncing, bustling president of Willys-Overland Motors, Inc. His plans: a six-cylinder model weighing only 2,500 Ibs. (smallest Ford weighs 3,011 Ibs.) with standard wheel base, wide seats, and "gasoline economy which will amaze the driving public." The 1947 Willys will be in production early next year, will sell for less than any of the present models of Plymouth, Ford, or Chevrolet.

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