The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-01-01

cptiWlsm ran wild nj the opening
yesterday of the sixteenth national au.
tonobile show In the Grand Central
faiace. for never had an exhibition
started under more favorable circum-
brilliant and verging on the masnin-
cent. but best Of all was the interest
displayed as evidenced by the steady
stream Of visitors that passed through
the Palace gates e on inspection of
the latest models.
The doors were scarcely opened at
$ o'clock before the early birds began
to arrive. Many OF these had CONNER
cial interests In the exhibits. but the
owners and prospective buyers were
not far behind. and long before noon
the building was Allied to capacity by
the searchers for novelties OF the sea-
son. On every hand could be heard ex-
pressions Of delight and wonder at the
fine array Of cars. Some Of these were
astonishing in design and beautiful in
lines II coloring.
In staging the present show Samuel
A. Miles, the general manager for the
National Automobile Chamber of Com
merce. has exceeded all his previous ef-
forts, and the exposition not only has
lived up 10 the reputation of the past
but 1t Is confidently expected will sur
pass any Of the shows which have pre-
coded IL
Era of Prosperity MirrOred.
Manager Miles as he surveyed the
busy scene voiced the sentiments of
many enthusiasts when he remarked {:
They say that "a cyclone OF prosperity
has begun to sweep over the country .
Doesn't this look like f.? Hundreds OF
exhibitors, all optimistic and happy
all going 10 do business here thou
sands of visitors pouring In and many
of them in the market for cars. Some
OF those who are not here to buy
cars are here TO see new accessories
which they will be purchasing before
the season II over, 1916 %unquestion-
ably will he tho biggest automobile year
in history. Prosperity? Why we have
plunged INTO IT,"
Complete cars occupy the first floor
and the mezzanine and the two top
floors are so loaded with accessories
that II takes a visitor hours TO see the
entire display. There are $40 of those
accessory exhibits. many featuring
brand new inc interesting devices.
About 900 new cars and chassis are on
exhibition. and a glimpse about the
show reveals the fact that there are
exhibited four makes with V type IL
cylinder motors. which naturally are
among the shows leading attractions.
No less than eighteen different varie-
ties OF 2 cylinder cars are 10 be seen,
and while there are numerous high
priced airs abou one-third Of the chas-
sis models shown sell at 81 900 or less.
The Studebaker gold chassis, costing
more than S25 900. Is one OF the sensa
tional attractions. The chassis. finished
from stem 10 stern In pure gold, was
quito a surprise. and crowds damned
around II from the minute the doors
were opened. More than $50 ounces of
II karat gold We're used. and nearly
= 600 parts entering into the construc-
ton are finished in gold. Only one
firm tn the country had the facilities
70 undertake this work, and even his
concern, Yale a Towne OF Stamford,
conn, had - arrang for special fifteen
foot watts and other equipment.
The chassis has been watched by de-
~trotlves since its arrival. and a guard
iS stationed near II day and night 80
that curiosity seekers may not chip on
pieces as souvenirs. In addition - be-
iug The most expensive chassis ever on
view AZ any automobile show, the Stude-
baker chassis IL C~ostlIrr by far than any
complete car ever exhibited AT any chow
II has taken man months 20 finish tn,
chassis after II came from the factory
10 the curse OF regular production.