New-York tribune., 1911-12-17
SELF-STARTER THE ISSUE.
Auto Buyers Seeking New De-
vices on Next Years Models.
MANY VARIETIES OBSERVED
All Sorts of Contrivances Used
by Manufacturers for the
Drivers Comfort.
BY Charles E. Duryea.


What doubtless will be pronounced the
keynote Of difference between the ~!
models Of automobiles and those OF the
coming season is the self-starteT. 1heFe
will be a multitude OF models working on
various principles. The invention IS lnoeeo
g. remarkable stride IN automooAe eAs'-
reerine. and beyond doubt Will nave d ue-
ctded influence on the sale OF cars 'lli0
coming season. On all sides women Ialh-
ing motor cars can be heard 70 eXclalm; I;
oh, I want one OF those new 1872 model
llank' cars with the self-starting oe-
vice.
Starting the engine for years has been
the one great bugaboo Of the novice. II re-
ou,res too much physical exerton even tor
those who are strong enough TO guide
car. No driver likes 70 get his feet wet
and muddy or work himself into per-
spiration in front Of the car as prelimi-
nary step 10 going for q drive. This con-
6ition has been recognized for years, but'
With tie exception Of q few makes like
uyinton, Cadillac. Amplex and a few
others. the remedy was not applied.
This season the self-starter has sprung
20 the front as vital point Of construc-
ton, and makers during the last few
months have realized the necessity OF fitting
such devices either as regular or as extra
equipment which may be applied TO order.
The self-starter makes the gas car as easy
N handle as an electric and wipes out
that one point Of difference which some
fastidious drivers have considered Of I'm
portance in the past. II fits the gas car TO
The average woman's use, and even may be
regarded as marking the passing of the
chauffeur. for it removes the main dread
which many owners have felt when driving
alone
The self-starter idea is not new one.
II was experimental with by the Duryea's
more than fifteen years ago. and with an
increasing frequency by many others
since But in those days other thoughts
fned the pubncs head, and the self
starter was regarded as not a necessity
and was simply ignored This fact con
vinced many that IT was not a necessity
and was not really wanted by the public
and this was largely true But al this time
the idea has caught on with the public
and seems 10 be coming with full force
whether needed or not
The Oldest form was the spring starter
IN which the engine stored power enough
TO turn itself over q few times. This had
the disadvantage that it might not have
range enough for a very obstinate engine
and so fail when wanted most The Peer
less and some other cars are fitted with
modern form Of spring starter which
serves we'll.
The next form was the compressed air
or gas device. which stored gas from the
engine cylinder or air pumped by the en-
a. D.
admitted TO the cylinders for Aurning the
engine over for starting. This was first
applied as regular equipment to the
Winton cars, and its success thereon has
had much to do with the coming Of the
present popularity. The Chalmers. Am
siex and some others use q similar device
In the Cadillac and some other cars ar
electric motor 5nd storage battery fur
nsh the needed current for turning the
engine over. after which the engine II
turn keeps the battery charged. In these
days Of electric lighting and high grade
ignition this system seems quite the right
thing. and its action IS all that could be
desired.
The Simplex, Hudson, Moon and selder
cars use d starter in which acetylene gas
from a Gas tank is admitted TO the cylin-
ders and ignited by electric spark This
gas is very explosive and the ease Of ig.
milton practically insures that Is develops
the power wanted to turn the engine into
activity. The amount of gas required Is
very little and the system is not compli-
Gated The Marmon. Moline and some
others also use acetylene starters. The
Mcintyre Is also fitted with & form Of
gas starter. The Lambert cars use foot
. lever for starting from the seat, and the
Duryea Buggyyauts use a hand operated
rope, so ii is seen that there is ample
range Of devices from which q buyer may
choose.