The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-04-02
HONK HONK NEWS
Work Has Commenced on Wear
Mulvane Motor Building.
FireprOOf Structure for Use Of
Garage Machine Shop.
IT'S A ssTORPEDO" NOW.
New Type of Car Takes Place of
Toy TOnneau.
Other Items of General Interest
in Motor Circles.
IT'S A "TORPEDO" NOW.

Work on the excavation of the
basement of the new Wear ulvane
Motor Car company building to be
.erected at GA Kansas avenue, has
commenced.
This building will be one of the
neatest and most modern salesrooms
in Topeka. 1t will have a 25 feet
front and run $50 feet to the alley. AT
the front of the building and at one
side there will be a large plate glass
window 7x12 feet. At the other will
be the entrance. the doors, of which,
the upper half will be of plate glass.
/ The walls will be made of brick and
| the floor of concrete thus making the
| building practically fireproof. At the
rear of the building will be installed
| a modern repair shop. The gasoline
tanks are to be placed under the side
walk.
Last year it was the toy tonneau
that was the body feature of the
shows. This year the torpedo type of
| body is the newest thing. Notwith h.
standing their odd appearance, they
present something new in the way of
| comfort by keeping out cold and low
ering the wind resistance, and for
| this reason, if no other, they are
| bound to become popular and remain
| so. One of the troubles of the toy
| tonneau last year was the lack of
leg room, but the long wheel bases
|
room, and this room has been used in
| front.
The custom now is to allow about
| twenty-siX inches of space between
| the drivers seat and the dash, a gain
| of from two to six inches over last
year. Sheet aluminium and cast al
minimum are used in many of the high
priced bodies, but the pressed sheet
| steel body appears to be coming.
Body construction, as rule, is well
done, the automobile with its fast
| movements requiring a sitter and
/ stronger body, than the horse drawn
carriage.
Hand buffed leather of all colors is
used even on some of the very low
priced cars having tufted sides and
| seats, is admirable. The tufted up
year, the smooth, plain upholstery
such as was used in the baby tonneau
of last year, not making so greatly for
comfort on rough roads and long runs.
1t seems as if all the makers. now
that the chassis has reached the fin
atty of mechanical efficiency, have
turned their attention to giving the
bodies a superb simplicity and comfort
that has never before been attempted.
1t must always be borne in mind that
the autombile differs from the horse
drawn vehicle because it carries its
load of passengers faster through the
air and on longer trips than was
ever before deemed possible.
Therefore, consideration for ease
and comfort must always be kept in
view. If the torpedo body is only
fad, it will leave behind it, even If
it disappears, some worthy ideas for
increased comfort, and it is safe to
say that some modification OF the
torpedo body will always survive and
be prevailing type.
The Smith company of Topeka
turns out torpedo car called the
Cruiser"
Il fri N
Meriden. Nortonville, Valley Falls
and Atchison, a distance of $50 miles
in their automobile Wednesday.
The members of the Glidden path
finder party gave Kansas good com
pliment when they said that the roads
here were the best they had found on
their trip.
DR.. J. M. Beasley purchased a Hud-
son roadster the first part of the week.
]. w. Best of Lyon county has pur-
chased a Kissel Kar.
Mrs Emmett Port has new Hud-
son 40.
E. G. Kinley brought Ford from
Kansas City Monday.
Ruts in the roadway make fast driv-
ing dangerous. This is especially true
when deep dust covers the ruts. The
covering of soft, yielding dust make
ideal conditions for bad skidding.
The White company is one of the
largest American exporters of automo-
biles. A recent report shows that the
White commercial vehicles are giving
a good account of themselves abroad.
A London concern, which is one of
the largest sports outfitters in the
world, bought last spring seven White
steam delivery vans.
Topeka motorists should look out for
their lamps. Theft of those useful and
costly pieces of equipment is becom-
ing common
w. F. Riley and family of Dover at
tended Easter services in Topeka,
making the drive in their White
steamer.
E. Horn is the owner of a Stafford
touring car, purchased Monday
This week has been a good one for
the dealers. large number of cars
having been sold. Here is the list for
one firm: Alfred Hylt, Overland; Her
bert Hunley, REQ; ]. Heilman, REQ; M
c. Plank. Overland; F. Chase, Over
land; Clay Andrews, REQ; Ed Tibbs,
REQ; DIR. Baxter, Overland; E. B. Mer-
riam, Columbus Electric Coupe, and f.
D. Coburn, Columbus Electric.
xCou<inuaa m NJewt p.-n1