The Washington herald., 1907-01-29
AUTO SHOW OPENED
Washington Enthusiasts Fill
Dupont Garage.
MANY MODELS ON EXHIBIT
Pronounced One of the Most Com
Dlete Exhibitions Ever Held I'm
Washington Seventy two Spic-
and-sPan 1907 Models shOwB-Op-
portunities offered for n Bargain.

Washington's automobiles, active and
prospective. 10 the number Of ABOUT 2,O0)
attended the opening of the automobile
show at the Dupont garage, Twenty
first and NJ streets, Lass night, and had
the advantages Of tlHrty-four different
makes Of cars calculated to them by
obliging members of the Washington Au-
tomobile Dealers Association, under the
auspices Of which body the exhibition is
being held. Seventy-two trim. spick-and-
span' 1897 models, Of all types-from the
moderate priced, low-powered runabout
to the expensive and gigantic touring
cars and racing machines-were viewed
by the visitors, and the qualities that
made each car better than any other were
explained by manufacturers representa-
tives and stacks Of artistic booklets. pam
phlets. and circulars
Most Of the visitors departed with arm
fuis Of descriptive literature, which they
VIII digest az their leisure. and If auto
purchasing intent. Will. as usual, pay no
attention 70. as it is well-known fact
among automobile dealers that it takes
more than pictures Of cars and printed
descriptions Of ther merits 10 trap the
wary auto buyer. The value Of this liter
allure is supposed 10 lie IN the fact that
the uninitiated prospective purchaser is
sure to find the text Of the articles so
puzzling that a visit to an agency for an
explanation invariably follows Having
enticed the prey to his lair, tie agent has
merely TO seize and overwheim him, or
her, with demonstration trips and the
deed is done.
Visitors Are Enthusiastic.
Last nights visitors to the auto show
seemed decidedly enthusiastic. The ex-
hibit was pronounced by all the most
complete and interesting ever held In
Washington. and the management was
congratulated on having secured 50 COM
modi0us and pleasant place to hold the
affair. The Dupont garage is one of the
largest and best-equipped iu the East,
and apparently makes an ideal place 20
hold exhibitions of this character.
Interest did not center last night about
any particular exhibit. The visitors
sr0ued in ana about The cars impair
TALLY. and heard the praises Of each sung
by the sponsor thereof. The exhibit COW
ers two floors. on the lower. which is the
second floor of the building. the largest
and. consequently, most conspicuous dis
plays are those Of the Pope the Column
bia. and the Cook Stoddlrd automobile
agencies Of this city. On the third floor
are several other makes of cars and the
exhibit of the dealers in accessories and
supplies.
The Pope Company has the largest ar
sortment of ears in the show Fourteen
Of the Pope 1919 models are shown The
Pope-Hartford and Pope-Toledo touring
cars are featured Roy C.. Hough the
local representative Of the Pope Com
pany also handles the LOC0mObile. ana
one of the most interesting cars on ex-
LibitiOu is the racing machine used hy
the noted Vanderbilt cup driver, Tracey,
IN his preparatory trials over the Long
Island course This monster machine was
the center OF q crowd of visitors through
out the evening
Features Of POpe-HartfOrd.
The features of the new Poqe-Hartford
touring cars. designed by Herbert H
Lyle another Vanderbilt cup driver, IS
the great length Of wheel base 1l5 inches,
and the increased diameter Of the wheels
The new models have wheels OF thirty
six inches. The front tires are three and
oue-half inches. while four and one-half
inch tires are used ON the rear wheels,
another innovation in automobile design
ing
Mr.. Lytle, by the way. was to have
driven at the Ormond Beach races. in
Florida, but stayed North for the show
here. Yesterday. It is said. he visited
President Roosevelt and invited him to
so for spin. The President SAYS Mr..
Lyle. tentatively accepted the invitation
and it is expected that Lyle viii take
the Chief Executive out for an evening
ride some time this week If he does, il
is probable that the President will have
as strenuous an evening as he could de-
sire, as Mr.. Lyle is chiefly noted for his
ability 20 make an automobile look like
a flying streak to the passers-by.
The COOk-StOddard COmpany's display
occupies the southwestern corner of the
main floor of the show. and includes the
latest models Of the Pierce. White Steam
er. Franklin, Cadillac, and Baker electrics
The Pierce-Great Arrow for 1907 is OF 2S-32
horsepower. and IS as ever. one of the
haudsOmest and most reliable looking cars
on the market. The White Steamer for
this year has several strikingly new fea-
tUrCs. One of the pretuest pieces of au-
tOmObile construction at the show is the
special Franklin chassis displayed by the
Cook-Stoddard concern.
The Motor Car Company has the Thorn
as Flyer and Peerless cars on display,
and, as usual. they received much atten-
ton. The models are particularly hand
some. feature Of the Motor Car Com
pany s exhibit is the Thomas racer. driven
by the great French driver, LeBlon. in
the Vanderbilt Cup race Standing cold
and lfeless, this great machine gives lit
tie evidence of its terrific power. but
those who have seen il burn 10 the Long
Island course look upon it with a species
Of awe.
Handsome Electric Victoria.
The Columbia Company exhibits. for
the first time i'm washington. its hand
some electric victoria This car. selling
for $4,000, is claimed to have attained
distance of sixty miles on one charge. /
The model exhibited is upholstered in
light gray and is exceptionally attractive
The new Columbia Junior touring car,
2i-2S horsepower four cylinders, Is an
other attractive car. It is fitted with the
new Columbia multiple jet carburetOr. /
the advantages of which can be found
set forth in the proper pamphlet
The principal objects of interest on the
third floor were the Carter double-engine
car and the American Mercedes. The