The Detroit times., 1910-01-26
SOME OF THE REAL
NOVELTIES At
THE SHOW
Torpedo Type of Body, Adopted by
Some of the Non Detroit Manu-
facturers Seems the Lead
ing 1910 Fad.
Detroit Factory Also Provokes Much
Inquiry by Inauguration of a Two
Cycle Motor in New Runabout.
eY Paul Hale eRUsKE.

BY PAUL HALE BRUSkE.
The first real opportunity 10 sys-
tematically examine the 1910 show OF
the Detroit Automobile Retailers as
ISOLATION was afforded Tuesday after
noon and the critics were all busily
at II. glad of the opportunity 10 view
the various cars and make compaTl'
sons without the neck-craning and
labored progress which had been IN
evidence on the opening night OF the
show.
In general. it was agreed there has
been but one striking new departure.
this being the torpedo body OF which
a half-dozen or more types are on
exhibition All OF these are modih-
cations OF the design originated b!
the Baker electric several years ago
and exploited in the shape OF rae
ing car. OF course. the sharp prov
Of the electric torpedo is not possible
in the gasoline-driven models. Radla-
tor and hood are the same as the
regular models. The upper line OF
the hood Is. however. carried back In
almost a straight line, clear TO the
rear OF the car which is sometimes
exhibited in the form OF a racing
runabout, while others have added
two seats in the rear. transforming
the vehicle into the demitonneau
type. AS rule the whole mechanism
OF the car Is enclosed by the body,
even the levers of the control being
housed in n way which makes the
sides resemble those of a warship.
Superior protection against cold. mud
and dust. particularly for those on the
front seat who have usually been
neglected in this respect is one OF the
merirs claimed for the new style OF
body.
Torpedo Still a Fad.
AS yet the torpedo must be set
down as a fad, nevertheless. Only
the more radical manufacturers have
taken IL up, it being a noticeable fact
that no Detroit factory has as yet
gone over to the innovation, though
one or two are said TO be contemplate
ing such a move. The fact that the
torpedoes were new to the local
crowd has made them the real feature
of the show. up TO date.
Aside from the torpedoes. the novel
ties are many. nevertheless. IlghI
two-cycle runabout with three cylin-
Detroit factory in that line. Two-cycle
cars have formed at once the despair
and the ambition of the manufacturer
Of motor cars. Thousands OF dollars
have been expended in the efforts OF
engineers to perfect engines OF TINS
type and adapt them TO motor cars
In general, the cooling proposition mas
been the principal difficulty. lnls Is
OF course. a simple matter Tor a Two
cycle marine engine. with all the cool
waters of the body ii Is traverslng. AT
its command. But motor cars do not
traverse lakes and rivers. Two-cycle
engines are far simpler than the com
monty accepted four-cycle type ana
the motor in question presents a most
attractive appearance. being virtually
lyalveless and securing from its three
hcylinders one-third more explosions In
ltheory. than are available from a vol
lev ared by the four-cylinder four
rycle models with which IL must com
spete for popular patronage.
But will 1t work in hot weather!
That Is the question which the ex-
merits Join in asking. In the absence
of an opportunity for a test, judgment
IS necessarily being deferred.
Two cars of two-cycle motor type
and approved performance are on ex-
,hibition at the show. aside from the
iDetroit-made runabout.
A Compound Gas Engine.
Another novelty in motor construc-
ton is found in the department OF the
show near the main entrance, devoted
10 the exhibition OF commercial We
Ebicles. One OF these includes most
ingenious application OF principles
hitherto exploited only in steam en-
vines. A compound gasoline engine
Is the invention summarized. IL is the
product OF the brain OF a well-known
gas-engine expert OF Detroit and, II
successful, will be manufactured In
large lots, both for commercial and
pleasure vehicles. More power for the
weight Of the engine Is the merit
which is claimed for the innovation
But these mentioned are all excep
lions to the general rule. The big
mart of the show is the standard
models of the various manufacturers
and these are present In such number
and variety that no prospective pur
chaser need go away disappointed at
Aie failure TO discover just exactly
what he wants. AS for the educational
feature, IL is present at the 1910 show
10 n far more thorough degree than
in any preceding
TUESDAY nights crowd was not quite
ms large as that OF Monday, In which
an the neighboThood Of 10000 persons
naased into the beautiful hall But Al
was plenty large enough to suit the
dealers who are present, more FOR the
purpose OF explaining the merits OF
their cars than from any desire to
make money at the door, through a
mood OF paid admissions.