TRADE OF VEHICLE BODY REPAIR - eCollege

Module 3– Unit 4
The inner construction of the head roof of these saloons was
concealed by a headlining. Up to and including the immediate postwar
years, this headlining was made from a woolen fabric stitched
together and tacked into position on wooden frames. However, the
more recently developed plastic and vinyl materials were found to
be more suitable than fabric, being cheaper and easier to clean and
fit. They are fitted by stretching over self-tensioning frames which
are clipped into position for easy removal, or alternatively the
headlining is fastened into position with adhesives.
Comfort improved tremendously with the use of latex foam rubber
together with coil springs in the seating, instead of the original plain
springing. The general interior finish has also been improved by the
introduction of door trim pads, fully trimmed dash panels and a
floor covering of either removable rubber or carpeting.
Then came the general use of celluloid for windows instead of side
curtains and next a raising and lowering mechanism for the
windows, nowadays the windscreen and door glasses are made of
laminated and/or toughened safety glass. The window mechanism
in use today did not begin to develop until well into the 1920s.
Mudguards, which began as wooden or leather protections against
splattered mud, grew into wide splayed deflectors in the early part
of the twentieth century and then gradually receded into the body
work, becoming gracefully moulded into the streamlining of the
modern motor car and taking the name of wings. Carriage steps
retained on earlier models gave place to running boards which in
turn disappeared altogether.
Steering between 1890 and 1906 was operated by a tiller. This was
followed by the steering wheel which is in current use. The position
of the gear lever made an early change from the floor to the steering
column, only to return to some convenient place on the floor.
Some of the first vehicles, or horseless carriages as they were
known, carried no lights at all; then carriage candle lamps, acetylene
lamps and finally the electric lighting system, first fitted as a luxury
extra and ultimately becoming standard and finally obligatory
equipment which must conform with legislation of the day.
When windscreens were first introduced such accessories as
windscreen wipers and washers were unknown. Then came the
single hand operated wiper, followed by the suction wiper and
finally electrically driven wipers.
Vehicle Body Repairs - Phase 2 7