The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1920-08-05

esting and unusual trsns-continertal
Journeys IN recent automobile history
Uneven states crossed. with all their
variety 80 rough country roads. broken
mountain trails. stretches OF mud and
weary wastes Of desert land. yet the
car arrived IN San Francisco ready and
nj 70 make a return trip.
This great record Is all the more re-
markahie because OF the conditions O.
this economy test. Spanning the CONT
nent has usually been a contest against
time. The Overland run was directed
against high costs OF gas. oil. tires and
upkeep.
The object Of the run was to deter
mine national standard or economy
and stamina for the lightweight car, a
class in which the Overland has created
a sensation because OF its many new
features. including the Triplex SPRINGS.
designed to ward or the Jars and jolts
Of the toughest roads and thus prolong
the lie OF the car while protecting
passengers from the usual road dis
comforts
In these days Of increasing talk about
the scarcity OF gasoline. the Overland
record of ~ miles to the gallon of gas
IN continuous highland day punish
ing drive Of 3,442 miles can not fail TO
have pocket-deep interest for every
man and woman who drives a motor
car. This run establishes the light
weight Overland as ideal not alone for
its economy in city traffic but for its
combination of stamina and economy in
the most abusive test that could De de-
vised.
The Overland record was not made
~ experienced drivers. selected by the
factory. The company wished to md
out what the car could do under the
worst conditions OF operation Accord
ingly. each distributor and dealer who's
territory was crossed furnished a driv-
er. There were good drivers and bad;
men who saved the car and others who
punished it.
In crossing the eleven states on the
route this Ovesiand was driven by Is
different men, none OF whom had ever
seen or handled the car before IL ar
rived IN the town where they were told
to meet IL Thus the average Of 27.2
miles TO the gallon becomes a measure
OF performance for the ordinary mans
ability in driving, rather than what
ever record trained crews OF experts
might have accomplished
Night and day. this Overland was
driven. always westward. The car was
stopped only for the refllirg OF the
gasoline tank and change OF drivers
On the sides Of the car were painted
the words. Overland Economy Run.
New York TO San Francisco. How
Much Gas" The question. How Much
Gas7 started a dozen guessing contests
throughout the United states wher-
ever the car went. there was an en-
thusiastic reception for the new light
car standard maker.
Throughout the run the most care
tut check was kept OF the gasoline and
oil consumed. study Of the log OF the
trip indicates that this Overland was
improving in performance all the way
across the continent There was plenty
Of variety IN the weather for the driv-
ers-cloudy, fair, warm. intensely hot.
Old and rain. The roads were just
- varied. However. these averages
tween laps tell story Of consistent
rformance that e few years age
Wculd have been considered an In
credible motor car performance:
From Pittsburgh. Ia, to Lima. o.
Overland averaged 2s.7 miles to a gal
lon To Cedar Rapids, Ia. over sand.
gravel end ordinary dirt roads, the
average was so.4 to the gallon. From
North Plstte. Nebr. to Cheyenne. wyo..
a stretch that tests the heart and pluck
OF any car. the average was 532 miles
TO the gallon. There were many miles
Of second speed work through heavy
sand
From Cheyenne. wyo 10 Rock
Springs. wyo., the Economy Car en-