The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-01-29
BUYING AN AUTO.
Some Pointers for the Prospec-
tive Purchaser.
Question of Power an All I'M
portant One.
APPEARANCE COUNTS.
Will It Garry Its Load on High
Grades.
APPEARANCE COUNTS.
Comfort an Important Factor
for the Buyer.

Automobile buyers these days are
learning that an automobile suitable
for one purpose is not necessarily
suitable for another and types have
been evolved with reference to many
special uses. Design and construction
are so far standardized that the pur-
chaser unless he looks into the ma
tePials and the record of the maker is
liable to be confused. If the right
choice is made, he can get a car
which mile for mile will cost no more
than a horse and probably much less
and will far outdistance the horse
The knowing Purchasers choice re-
solves itself around the question of
carrying capacity, speed, convenience
and taste in body style, supplemented
by his mechanical knowledge of the
car.
When you buy a car it is a good idea
to choose along the following lines:
See that the car seats the number
OF passengers you desire and seats
them comfortably as pleasure is the
prime requisite in car.
Observe whether the car has suffi-
cient power to carry its load at the re-
Quired speed and that it picks up
hSpeed and is able to negotiate hills on
high gear, without pounding or undue
effort. Quietness and lack of vibra-
ton are the first items in economy of
upkeep. Note the f1exibility in the
range of speeds on the throttle with
out changing gears-how slowly it
will run on high gear without clutch
slipping. Flexibility is most impor-
tant as by virtue of it gear changing
is avoided the car is enabled to cover
greater distance in days run.
good motor should be able to acceler-
ate and pick up speed on high gear
almost at touch. A sluggish motor
is dangerous as there are often times
when quick. and immediate action is
necessary. Your car should start at
a turn of the crank. Two separate
ignition systems are an advantage
and are an anchor to windward.
General appearance, comfort. and dur
ability are points that can easily be
judged by the reputation of the max
ers. Beauty of body lines and up
holstering are external points which
be faxed. Last and not least is the care
of the car after you have bought it.
Will the firm stand back of its product
and give you prompt and cheerful GER
vice when you need a repair part, etc. :?
The Travelling Expert is a big factor
also. No matter how well built the car
may be or how well it is cared for, adj
justment and repairs are sure to be
necessary occasionally, and so, to pro-
tect the owner. to insure the use of his
car whenever he wants it. the E. R.
Thomas Motor Company has placed I;
large corps of expert mechanics upon
the road whose duty it is to call upon
each owner at regular intervals, in
spect his car carefully, make such adj
justments as he may deem necessary.
and give advice as to the running and
maintenance of his car-and all of this
free of charge to him.
See that the maker of your car is re-
liable and that the first adverse wind
will not put him out of business, leav-
ing you with a car on your hands, for
which you cannot obtain repair parts.
All these points which the prospective
purchaser should weigh well and look
up before purchasing.
The design of luxurious limousine
| cars has undergone considerable change
within a comparatively short time. In
days gone by the limousine bodies were
both heavy and unsightly. The great
cause for the excessive weight was the
exclusive use of wood, while the design
had not yet received the attention that
| it merited.
The excessive weight of this old type
| body resulted in a high center of gravi-
rolling action of the car: the recent
| limousine design has called for the ex-
elusive use of sheet aluminium in all
| but the frame parts of the body and it
has enabled the modern limousine to
| be as durable as it is beautiful. and has
| brought about the car somewhat more
| luxurious riding qualities.
In all cars of the limousine type the
weight of the frame and body Is com
raratively large in proportion to the
weight of the passengers carried; on
account of this these cars ride luxuri-
ously even with one passenger, and
give the truly comfortable Pullman
| action over all kinds o. road irreguIari-
| ties. The absence of excessive rolling
action has its own effect on increasing
the durability of the body since if the
car does not roll so much the body is
in much less strain, and Sc has great
er life.
The very best limousine bodies are
| now made of two sheets of aluminium
| which by careful hand work are shap-
ed to secure the desired form. Only ar
| tlsts can handle this comparatively soft
| sheet material so that If is free from