The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-12-29
FOREIGN CAR SHOW OPENS
IMPORTERS AUTOMOBILE SAXON
FOURTH EXHIBITION.

Luxury In the cass and beauty Of decora-
lions were the most striking things in the
exclusive foreign oar show which opened
last night in Madison Square Garden. The
exhibition IL officially entitled he I'm
pOrters' Automobile SAILOR Of 1908" and will
hs open every day this week from 10 o'clock
in the morning until n O'Clock at night.
None but imported automobiles are sx-
hibited. but there are a number Of Amer
loan tire and accessory firms hat have
taken space in the show. Tuesday and
Friday have been set apart as society days."
when the admission fee will be 81, twice the
usual mount.
The show has been patterned as far al
possible after the Paris Salon and an UNI
uDually great number Of lights W. been
used to illuminate the arena. The pre-
vAinng tiRts OF the decorations are ivory
and blue. while wistaria is used ~ drapery
along the edges Of the balconies and on ths
many clusters Of electric light globes.
Andre MAssanet. chairman OF the show
committee. is a great believer In having
plenty Of illumination at an automobile
show. and even the signs bearing the names
II the cara exhibited are internally lighted.
The booth idea. which is one OF the most
striking features of the great annual Salon
de rAutomObile in Paris. where every ex-
hibitor Axes up his a to suit his own
ideas Of decoration. is carried out in ME
Garden by having the exhibition spaces
divided by ~draperies.
To reproduce as far an possible the SEM
blance Of q Partisan boulevard was the
task which the show COMMITTEES set out to
accomplish, The aisles were accordingly
arranged TO run down the length Of the
main floor, with the middle aisle broken at
it's centre by an immense group OF statuary.
This consists OF four life size figures, n
at each corner Of a ten foot pedestal, sur
mounting them being q heroic sized hg9re
representing the spirit OF Speed which
10 the design OF the Salem poster.
At the Madison avenue end OF the arena
10 . long colOnnade, with a light crowned
obeltsk at either end: Atthe Fourth avenue
end Of the middle aisle IL a running fountain,
with Q basin 30 feet across. IN the centre Of
whieh 10 q nymph from whose upliftod hand
etreRm Of water pours into the pool below.
Behind tho fountain and reaching across
the entire eastern end of the arena is a
gigantic painting representing a woodland
seems, 10 the vista of which IL a porgola.
The automobiles shown are fairly well
divided between medium and high pow
cred types, though most OF the exhibitors
who show cars with a great amount OF
horsepower also display one or two models
OF comparatively modest ratings IA ma
ported ears 90. The coachwork on the
CODOADb& cars - very Un1N Aluctus dIu III
many instances the bodies on the cars In
this show cost more money than a gneat
humber OF the complete oars that were
shown In the same building a few weeks
ago in the exhibition OF the Association
OF Licensed Automobile Manufacturers
While a great many OF the bodies were
built abroad, either In Paris or in the country
from which the cars came, there are a mum.
her ct luxurious and expensive bodies that
were constructed in this country which
arc every bit az beautiful and comfortable
as the foreign creations in this line.
One OF the most interesting features OF
the exhibition is the large number OF town
? cars that are shown. Most OF these vehicles
are rated az 20 horsepower or less and are
shaft driven, with short wheel bases and
with narrowed frames in front so as to
facilitate being turned around in city
streets without being backed up. On these
machines the landaulet type OF body is
most popular, as It enables an owner
to lave an 0pen or a closed car, accord
ing TO the weather conditions. A great
number Of landaulet and limousine bodies
are shown, these types Of body design having
always been very popular with users OF the
DIG high priced and high powered foreign
machines.
The attendance last night was very large,
the aisles being well filed with visitors from
the time the doors opened until the lights
began TO dim at n O'Clock as a signal that
the opeping evening was ended. The plan
Of using the upper balcony as a simulated
n <tn StugWatn Uni BAONCN N BOPhhuh
one, az many OF the visitors spent some
time there resting before making another
round Of the exhibits.
The show Ia likely 20 be a favorite with
tho Members OF the fair sex, as a couple OF
resting rooms nave been provided for
- women, the rooms being furnished in the
Craftsman style. The summer garden
in the concert hall, with its tropical and
grayelled walks and wicker easy chairs,
q another departure that bid fair to be-
come popular with women.
Lt was announced last night that the
surprise planned for the New Years eve
celebration ON Tuesday night would take
the form Of a historical pageant repre-
senting the evolution Of locomotiOn. This
feature will be given first between mid
night on Tuesday and 1 o'clock on Wednes-
day morning and it will be repeated at 4
O'Clock in the afternoon and at 0 O'Clock
In the evening Of New Years Day. The
parade will be led by a band. and the first
stage Of lOcOmOtion will be represented
by o monkey on all fOurs. NeHt will come a
man, walking on his hind legs" Fol-
lowing him will be the next development.
the OK.
After this will come in order Hindus car
Kying a %palanQuin on their shoulders, Jar
anese drawing a jinriks ha, Egyptians.
Romans and Greeks in their chariots drawn
by horses and Modes and P~ersians using
camels and elephants for locomotion and
transportation, the European sedan chair,
, donkeys and horses and carriages. The
age Of steam will be typified by an engine,
which will be followed by a bicycle and
perhaps a velocipede. provided one can be
secured.
Finally will come the triumph Of modern
genius in the field Of lOcomotiOn and trans
portation-the automobile. Old Father
Time Is expected TO drive a reproduction OF
the arst motor car manufactured. and the
up TO date automobile will be controlled by
the spirit Of Speed" The plans provide
for about fifty persons TO participate in this
feature. and the show committee contem-
plates offering a reward for the handsomest
woman in New York TO occupy a chariot and
represent the New Year.
The cars displayed are follows; Benz Z:
Dietrich. Delahaye. Delauna y-Believille.
Fiat, Hotohk ISIS, Isotta Erase hini, Maja.
Panhard. PLAIN, Renault. Rochet-Schneider.
Rolls-ROvce and Xlst.