New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
MANY NOVELTIES
FOR AUTOISTS in
JANUARY DISPLAY
Striking Changes in Body De-
signs Will Deepen Interest in
the Palace Show.
WIRE WHEELS ARE IN VOGUE
Cowl Dash Generally Adopted,
and Controls Are Centred
Near Drivers Seat.

1t is true that recent Improvements in
cars from year 10 year have not been
quite as radical as some years ago. ow-
ing to the fact that the industry has be-
come standardized to a large extent
However, many Of the changes which
have been made in car construction since
last season are important ones-points
that the prospective purchaser OF an au-
tomobile should know about.
One of the most striking new features
10 be noticed generally in the show which
opens on January 8 in Grand Contra!
Palace is wire wheel equipment. Pro-
ducers Of the new type Of wheel claim for
IL many advantageous qualities.
Electric lighting OF automobiles by dy-
nano systems has ceased 10 be novelty,
but the new crop brings number OF re-
fnements Many changes have been
made TO eliminate difficulties entailed Dy
short cirCuitirg and other freaks OF cleo
trio power This is also true OF the cleo
trio self-starters put out by various com
panies. Incidentally. this season sees
many more makes Of electric self-starters
than previous seasons. Much improve
ment has been made in this line.
Makers generally are devoting more at
tention 10 body design than formerly.
There are more coupe types. and some
of the body makers are designing inside
drive vehicles with novel seating arrange
ments. Some are putting out coupe
bodies which seat three and even -FOUR
! comfortably
More attention is being paid TO the
deepening Of the cowl dash, the arrange
ment Of the windshield bringing IT nearer
20 the front seat than heretofore with
| out shortening the foot room TINS means
far more comfortable riding On WINDY
dav. Switches for the lighting system
! elf-starter etc, are neatly taken care OF
under the cowl, while some models have
all the switches concealed in q single con
! troll box, clamped TO the steering post
directly beneath the steering wheel.
Numerous new models have sloping
hoods. Cars designed in this fashion are
more like the European product. EA-
!. tremely deep upholstery Will be found OH
the majority Of makes exhibited.
! Convertible bodies are proving their
worth for the owner who likes an opel
4 car ordinarily and closed bCdy Tor III
clement weather. Several makers are
| eouipping with body, the top OF whlch
can be raised quickly, and glass sizes III
panels also raised TO make closed car
Still more makers are adopting the leit
drive with centrally located control. Sew
| eral have adopted the electrically CON
trolled gear shift, doing away win sue
levers entirely. The left hand drive IS
| convenient in many respects az IL per
mits easy entrance and exit TO the driV-
er's seat when the car pulls up al
curb.
! Numerous new forms OF shock absorb
/ ers or supplementary springs nave ap-
reared on the market. The populail''
/ of the coil spring type, attached 10 inc
rear spring-set OF the car, has gained re-
/ markably. while there are numerous ue-
signs of hydraulic and friction types oil
shock preventer. One maker has brought
out a shock absorber which consists OF
an inverted set of spring leaves. shorter
than the regular spring set ami clamped
TO this main set with Il spacing block be
tween. Shock absorbers now come as
standard equipment on mary makes,
whereas a few seasons lack hardly any
cars were delivered TO the user with
these accessories.
couple of makers IRE bringing out
two-speed axles. This type Is particu-
larly advantageous when frequent gear
shift is necessary, as, for example, III
crowded traffic and very billy country.
With the two-speed axle most OF the driv-
ing is direct and not through gears, which
means less vibration, less noise and less
| wasted power