Omaha daily bee., 1910-05-22
FREAK CARS OF THE RICH
Individual FRncirs Embodied In Auto
mobiles RegnrdIcsA of Cost.

Individual Fnncirs Embodied In Auto
mobiles Regardless of Cost.
The bored rich, In search of new sensa-
tons, have OF late been turning their at
ter ton 20 the designing OF freak motor
cars. While, however, some of the Ideas
which have been carried out are extremely
novel and ingenious, they are scarcely
likely to become popular, for, as one writer
remarks in regard to the latest thing In
motor cars-a little auto cab which has
been mado to fit a wealthy American lady
like a taior-made costume, being only
twenty-slN inches wide and fifty-six inches
high-"vcry few people want to be helped
into their cars with a shoe-horn every
time they have had an extra good lunch"
Then, again, novel motor car designed
ard owned By gentleman of Calcutta
simply adds to tho noise Of the ordinary
motor car, which so often offends sensitive
ears. on this motor car, which, by the
way, cost f2,5O0, the usual bonnet is COW
cred by the enormous figure of swan, the
eyes of which are composed of prism lenses,
which arc lit up at night by electricity.
The beak is made so that the exhaust can
be sent through it, causing noise like the
hiss OF swan. Met on a dark night it is
liable to cause as much fright among quiet
SOluS pcOplS as a Cduduldn uuHIliy HOTSC
car which was exhibited some time ago.
The dummy horse was fixed to the front
OF the car, the horn being attached to the
dummy's mouth, while at night the eyes
were ut up, a pair of brilliant green and
red orbs glazing at passing vehicles.
Some of tho novelties in motor cars, how
ever, take a more practical and useful
shape. Among the cars, for instance, pos
L. - L DAl.- H.,
who was most ardent automobilist, was
an elaborate gypsy van which contained
three rooms-a parlor and bed room and a
room FOR the kings valet. The machine
was capable of developing thirty horse
power, insuring a speed of from thirty
five to forty five miles an hour. Altogether
the vehicle cost 5000
And talking. of caravans reminds one thai
the duke OF Newcastle some time ago, had
the most deliberately fitted of travelling car.
avans built, which, however, was moved
by horse power 1t contained a cooking
range, piano, typewriter and a dark room
together with accommodation for three per
sons, in the moderate space of fifteen fee
| by seven feet, and cost f1,5O0.
Four years ago the Duke of Fife hat
built for him, at cost of 1900, 6O-horse
| as possible to combine the advantages o.
railway saloon with the luxury of al
apartment in a royal palace. At the bach
of the carriage was a couch with soft cush
ions, upon which a passenger could take
siesta at full length. The seats were Of
the armchair pattern, and were so con
structcd that the occupants could look GU
in 'any direction. The doors opened with
nickel-plated handles; soft Turkey carpets
covered tho floor, and among the fitting,
werc ladies' companions and smoking fit
ments galore.
Among the wonders OF the motor cal
show at Olympia four years ago wer'
King Edwards specially constructed shoot
! ing car and the Prince of Wales picnic
car, with folding adjustable tables FOL
| luncheon or tea.
The French chocolate king. NJ. Menier
| owns wonderful motor car, which is
small hotel on wheels. 1t is divided int
two parts, bed-sitting room, with secre
folding beds, and a dressing room and
kitchen with every possible accessory fol
toilet and cooking. 1t reminds ono ven
much of the three-roomed fiat on wheels
in which NJ. Fabreques, the well-knowI
millionaire automobile manufacturer o
Marseilles, went for a novel holiday iaun
through Europe three years ago. Thl
travelling flat is a combination automobil,
and home. 1t contains two sleeping rooms
which IN the daytime can be convertet
into one large sitting room. There ar