Evening star., 1905-11-05

Scores of people are contemplating the
nurchase of an automobile next year ana
only a few of them are settled as 10 the
kind they shall buy. Some will buy single
cylinder cars others two cylinders and stiii
others four cylinders. Electricity VIII De
favored by some. the steam venice Will
have it's advocates, but the majority VIII
buy gasoline cars. which constitute about
90 per cent of this eountry's production In
motor car building.
"Buying an automobile" said an automo-
blist well versed in motor car matters, Is
; like buying a pair Of shoes. They all nave
certain fundamental points. but some are
better suited to the buyer than others.
man wouldn't buy corked-soled shoes for
use In Florida nor would he buy light can
vass shoes to wear in the Canadian Wooos.
So it is with the motor car. man In one
locality may want lots of hill climbing
power while another living in a level coun-
trv can do with less power and save on his
cost of maintenance.
"In buying a motor car next year, think
the greatest attention will be given TO the
production of those makers who have turn
ed out successful ears this year; manufac-
turers whose names through advertising
and performances in competition, are BY
words among automobiltsts. Such makers
can't afford to turn out anything but a
good car and motorists can make no mis-
take buying machines of established repu-
tation.
Although we will have some single cylin-
der cars next year and many two cylinder,
it must be admitted that the favorite for
1906 will be the car of four cylinders, sup
plying from twenty to thirty-five horse
power There will be some cars sold OF
greater horsepower than thirty-five but
comparatively few four-cyilnder motors
will furnish less than twenty.
price Is going to be an important rae
tor although 1t should be OF secondary I'M
portance First let the buyer get a car
of reputation. and have the price come
later. Nevertheless with SO many good
American cars on the market there is sure
to be a little competition In price, and in
this respect can't just see where the for
eign productions are going to figure
II think one of the greatest favorites
next year will be four-cylinder car SELL
ing from 50. 500 to 81. 500 The four-cylinder
motor will have the call There must be
perfect compression In the cylinders OBJ
tainable only, by grinding the cylinders and
pistons to mirror finish All parts OF the
motor must be accessible.
Jump spark ignition will continue In
favor I think, although some of the big
cars will carry a magnetic. A neat combina-
tion is a commutator and secondary dis
tributor located between. the second and
third cylinders and driven from the CAIN
shaft to pair OF spiral gears with a SIN
gle coil controlled by lever located on the
top of the steering wheel. On one car ]
have seen this lever does not revolve with
the wheel. The sliding gear type Of trans
mission with at least three speeds and a
reverse, inclosed in a case that be
readily removed for inspection purposes
will be the favorite and of course these
gears must be of the best material.
sLubrication has been brought to a finer
point than ever before. A 1906 car that
saw lubricates the engine bearings and
cylinders from a special ofler located on
the dash and driven by a belt on the cam
shaft Flexible and efficient carburetors
with the carburetor throttle on the steering
wheel along the ignition lever will predom-
mate In the 1906 type.
SHAFT drives on the lighter type OF cars
and chain drives on the very big cars seem
to be most In favor. One buying cars next
year should pay particular attention to the
steering mechanism which is generally of
the worm and sector type. and to the
brakes. Most of the cars are now fitted
with two sets OF brakes. one an external
clamping band brake acting on drum
attached to the transmission shaft while
the other set consists Of two internal band
brakes sometimes faced with camefs hair
beltings. and acting In drums which are
bolted to each rear wheel hub.
mo one ulkes an uEly-iooking car. SO
that beauty OF tho design and finish Will
sell many cars IN 1905. In buying one should
see that - oets . long enough wloA ba1o