Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-05-09
MOTOR CAR DESIGN
PROGRESS SHOWN
Pioneer Dealer in This City
Believes Other CHANCES
Will Be Made.

While discussing the changes in de-
signs of automobiles with a Star re-
porter the other day. one of the pio-
neer automobile dealers of Washing
ton had this to say:
The old models exhibited at auto
mobile shows this year indicate in a
manner the vast distance Travelled in
automobile building in the compare
lively few years that the industry
has been in existence.
There has been, of course, great
advancement along mechanical lines.
though many of the principles en-
bodied in those historic old cars re-
main unchanged in today's finest cars.
But it is in the passenger-carrying
equipment that the biggest contrast
appears.
When Haynes. Apperson and Ford
first drove their 'threshing machines
around the streets of mid-Western
cities. the chassis was the big thing.
and passengers were literally hung on
wherever room could be found for a
seat. In most of the bodies only two
persons were accommodated. When
more carrying space was demanded.
the extra seats were tackled on be-
hind. with the passengers facing
backward or the guests were given
a precarious perch over the roaring
First Tonneau Bodies.
1T was around 1902 that the first
tonneau bodies began to make their
appearance in America. The driver,
with one passenger. was accommo-
dated in front, while two or four
rode in the tonneau. The tonneau
gers sat in the corners alongside the
door or at the sides. Sometimes an
extra seat was hung on the door. but
no one liked to use this because Of
uncertainty about the strength Of the
about 1904 or 1905 the makers Of
the old air-cooled Frayer-Miller
brought out an innovation in the
shape Of a side-entrance tonneau. The
rear seat had the wide, inviting cush-
ion practically as we know it today,
while access to the rear compart.
side. Great strides were made by
all body designers in celebrating and
embellishing this type. and it was
thought by many that the ultimate
in body style had been reached.
THAT they were far from the truth
duced the four-door touring car a
few years later. The elimination of
the uncomfortable and drafty OPEN
ings in the front seat, coupled with
the cleaner lines OF the new design,
brought 1t into instant favor with
the motoring public. and 1t became
at once the standard for all touring
body designs.
"Other changes followed. generally
three or four years apart. such as the
first tilted Windshield on the Mercer.
the Introduction Of the double cowl
feature by White. the start of the
bevel-edge bodies by Hudson, tho ex-
tension of the bevel to the radiator
by Cole. and so forth, all helping to
mako up tho car as we know it to-
day.
Look for Real Artist.
When asked II he looked for any
decided changes in the immediate fu-
ture, the dealer continued:
From a consideration Of all the
factors affecting the establishment
and change Of body style, it becomes
apparent that the time is ripe for
another important innovation. The
shows this year were disappointing in
that no new-style ideas were dis
closed. 1t is safe to assume, however,
that we have not reached the ulti-
mate. A sufficient period has elapsed
since the last change of any conse-
a new sun were to appear on the style
horizon in the very near future. When
it does come. we believe the effort
will be toward harmonizing the lines
of the car with the spirit Of the chas-
sis. Or. in other words. we look for
real artist in body fashions to ex-
press in the body feeling of smooth.
swift travel, which Is the essence OF
motoring pleasure.