New-York tribune., 1912-12-22
Silent Running and Greater
Comfort for Passengers
the Makers Aim.
BODIES GREATLY IMPROVED
Thicker Upholstery the Rule,
Some Going to Eighteen
Inches-Wire Wheels
Finding Favor.

that 1913 models will not show many new
features Of construction. On the con-
trary. motor enthusiasts at the thirteenth
National Show in Grand Central Palace
and Madison Square Garden will ind
many points new and interesting in next
seasons offerings. Nearly every manu-
facturer has something novel, either in
the way of added equipment. or some
important change in construction, calc1-
lated 10 render easier and smoother the
action of his cars
Bodies, for instance. will be larger and
roomier than ever before. There is a
well-defned tendency in this direction
due 10 a general recognition of the fact
that the average individual needs and
demands more elbow and more knee
room. More than ever is the coupe in
widence. Several prominent manufact-
urers who never before have listed coupe
models have added them for the fret
time this year. and the increase in
production Of these handy little ALI
weather vehicles presages widespread
use.
Roadsters are returning TO favor. as
was forecast at last years shows, and
one manufacturer has cleverly combined
the coupe and the roadster The body is
combination which, with the top part
removed. becomes an attractive torpedo
type roadster. With the top in place
there is nothing TO indicate that ii is re-
movable. so cleverly have the dividing
lines been covered up.
The popularity of left drive. with CEN
trally located central levers is increasing
remarkably From a practically insig-
niicant beginning the practice slowly but
surely mas grown 10 more than noticeable
proportions. Few manufacturers OF the
newer crop have designed their vehicles
10 be driven from the right side, and the
manufacturers Of older and better known
ears. from the cheapest to the most ex-
pensive are gradually adopting left drive
The object Of the change from ortho-
dox construction is to permit easier en-
trance and exit 10 the drivers seat. To
make even more prominent this feature
several manufacturers have placed their
gear shift levers between the two front
seats. where they are entirely out of the
way. although within easy reach of the
drivers hand. In appreciation of the fact
tnat not everybody likes the left-hsnd
position OF the steering wheel. several
cars are now fitted so that the option Of
either position may be given.
Another feature which IL brand new
lils year and which bears directly on tile
ease with which a car may be controlled
.-ies in the adoption OF deep cowl dashes
termed undef al the inside and mounting
the usual array OF ignition switches. car
eureter adjustment, engine starter and
lighting switches In this way the con
uOi apparatus is placed where it is con-
tinualy under the drivers eye and can
be reached with the minimum Of exertion.
Carrying the idea still further, the
manufacture Of "a car that has acquired
an International reputation has located
all such apparatus in a small switch
board attached directly TO the steering
column beneath the wheel On all such
switchbosrds and on the dashes Of nearly
all cars the gasolene tank gauge plays
which in itself shows tendency 20 reduce
The labor Of driving a car, and to substi-
tute for II the comfort which comes Of
security
One form % equipment which can hard
y be called other than new az applied %
American cars lies in the steadily increas-
ing Of popularity OF wire wheels. The use
Of wire wheels IS general in Europe and
has spread 10 America purely by reason
the merit Of the wheels themselves,
ior there cannot be offered the excuse for
thtir use here that obtains abroad where
suitable wood for wheels is scarce. On
several makes OF cars wire wheels will
tppear for the first time as standard
equipment without extra cost, and on sev-
tral others they win be optional equip
nsnt These are now manufactured so
a. 10 be fitted with demountable rims-a
ttsp in advance Of European manufact.
ue.
ln other equipment II is doubtful II
nsIe Is anything Of greater Importance
ana valHe than electric lights and cleo
VIC engine starters. AZ last years show
zoe manufacturers who regularly equipped
tne'r cars in this way could almost be
counted on the fingers Of two hands
L'ectric lights were fairly common, but
ele starters were conspicuously absent.
4as year, however. all that is changed.
Acetylene aud compressed afr starters viii
'so be common. and there will be very
.ss cars not equipped with both electric
Ashs and some type Of engine starters.
among the mechanical features OF the
~" cars also there are just as many
-" Things az In years gone by, though
'aey VIII be less conspicuous. being in the
"a'sre ot detail rehnements and a general
aoothing down. The strife for silence
'eh goes on. and the inclosure of the
'aNe mechanism. which became notice
'''s last year, viii be even more APP
'"'ent Methods OF fastening the valve
,V''is arc better however. and in nearly
,e'yfesse they are more easily remov-
'han they have been In the past
needless 10 say. In the search for
'a'er efficiency and smoother running
s@ soitort Of passengers has not been
''OoEed. Ten-inch upholstery now Is tho
rather than the exception, ar II was
AS' years show and some manufact-
s even have gone TO the length OF
'olhg cushions fourteen inches thick.
manufacturer regularly equips his
S With cushions no less than eighteen
inches in thickness.
pnng suspension also bears important
auoh TO the comfort OF passengers to
80 ho'hing Of its effect on the life OF
mechanism, and number OF