The Washington times., 1914-02-21
GIVES RULES ON HOW
TO BUY MOTOR CAR
DependabiIity of Chassis Should
Be First Question, Says
Dealer Here.
By HARRY WARD.

With so many motor cars being
offered, it is natural that the buyer.
VINO rs rule is only slightly familiar
with mechanism of any sort, becomes
confused in making selection. Inc
following rules. offered by a Washing
ton automobile dealer who has been
identified with the sale of motor cars
since their inception, although not
meant to be ironclad in application.
should be of help to those about TO
buy motor car.
providing you have made up your
mind as to the type of car you desire
that is, the passenger capacity ana
power-the next important thing Is the
uependability of the chassis; everything
else is of minor Importance. The chassis
should be your first consideration, Tor
. the outward goes for nauSht If the in
terior-'.the life of the car''-is not suf-
ficient.
You are vitally interested in the
motor. clutch transmission and rear
axle system, the construction of the
b~dy and the accessories with which the
machine is equipped.
Popular Cars Are Standard
1T is not necessary to be an expert
to understand mechanical fundamentals.
Let the popular motor cars, in GER
tain sense, be your standard of selec-
ton. To give an illustration of what is
meant take the matter of tungsten steel
valves. You need not know the exact
,a,ue OF this particular piece of steel to
appreciate the efficiency of it.
1T stands to reason tnat If a ma
jority of the manufacturers use II, II
can be relied upon to do Its work. And
so, II you lind half a dozen manufac-
turers following the same practice. 1t
is safe to assume that the part used is
right
IN a motor satisfy yourself as to the
size Of the bearings, valves, the crank-
shaft dimensions, and the lubricatinS
system. In the transmission II Is neces-
sary that the gears be Of very good
grade of steel. and it Is important that
the rear system be carefully and &C
ceSsibly built.
Question Is Debatable.
The matter of weight has always
been a debataffe question. but let your
good sense guide you in this particular
matter You do not want car that is
too light, for 1t will not be suitable for
the varying road conditions; and II II
is too heavy its own weight Will llkeiy
cause 50 much vibration as to have a
tendency to loosen the parts. So In
this respect you should seek the medium
not too heavy, nor too light.
You have heard so much about &C
cessibility and simplicity that it is not
necessary for ME 20 dwell on these
points. The reasons are obvious.
Most manufacturers now furnish all
steel bodies. They have found this
method of construction to be the best,
although 1t costs more than the wooden
STYLE The steel body is absent OF All
squeaks and other annoyances that at
tend the wooden body
Emerson & Crme report the sale OF
Datroit electric. clear-visiOn brouShaHi
to Mrs. James J. hampton. The car IS
finished in blue and upholstered in i'm
ported grav whiDcord.
"A man named Smith. living in Una.
dilla n. Y, claims the distinction rf
being the only licensed chauffeur in the
State of New York having but one
arm" said Henry Cunningham, the
Regal agent. Smith Is also proud OF
the fact that he not only drives Regal
car, but does all the work himself that
is necessary in connection with keeping
a motor car in perfect condition. 1fandi-
capped as he is by the loss of an arm.
Smith claims he can drive anywhere
and is certain OF gettinb back"
w. l.. Smith Company. :.gent for the
Detroitcr has taken III" Washington
anCency for the MotoKart light deliv-
ery car. a shipment of the cars will be
received early in March
Charles smith has placed an order
with the rland-Washington Motor
Company fer an Overland touring car.