The New York herald., 1921-10-09

Special Gable TO THE Nsw Yosx HmArp.
Copyright, 1881, oy The Nsw Ycsx HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Paris. Oct. 8.
The prices of French automobiles
have been hammered down as far as
possible in order to defeat competition
from British. Spanish and italian fac
tories. This is the most striking feat
ure of the Automobile Show which
opened in the Grand Palais this week.
American competition. thanks to the
high exchange value Of the dollar, does
not worry French builders and the
few American stands such as the
Buick. Pierce Arrow, Cadillac and
Overland failed to attract attention, as
the prices which were marked In dol
lars naturally provoked the comment
that every dollar represented fourteen
instead Of I'VE francs.
But serious competition apparently Is
coming from Frances nearest neighbors,
especially In the de luxe types. For in
stance, Fiat Is Showing . new model
twelve cylinder forty horse power tour
Ing car which will probably leave the
factories In November, and although the
price has not yet been nxed, agents are
prophesying that II win not be less
than 100000 francs. while Hlspanouiza' 8
big models all are priced at over 10O, 900
francs. Several italian firms are show
ing cheaper models, but the biggest in
terest attaches to the Iotta Franschini
of Milan, with eight cylinders. which is
offered for delivery in Paris At $4,000
francs 'r
Wide Range Of Cars.
French displays. however. cover the
widest possible range. from Peugeot's
latest Quadrillette. a four wheeled cycle
car capable Of developing twelve horse
power. which is offered for $500 francs,
to Delangere Clayette's de luxe limou-
sines, which are considered the last word
In comfortable town cars and which now
have been reduced to $4,000 francs,
compared with $4,000 francs last year.
Throughout the day the stands de-
voted to cycle cars were the most
crowded with buyers. The speed and
graceful lines which the French makers
have managed to combine In these cars
are making them unusually popular.
Salmson's race winning four wheeler is
being offered complete for 5000 francs.
while Side ten horsepower aluminium
chassis Is marked 1850. with racing
models of light aluminium running as
high as $4,000 francs.
Ciroen as usual Is offering q popular
ten horse power four passenger run
about at 1900 francs and a de luxe
limousine at 1900 francs. but the pub
lies attention Is all centred on his new
five horse power two scatter which Is
offered at $500 francs.
The three wheeled cycle cara are
Stunned. however, except by curious
non-buyers. although the prices for
these with two seats are as low as
$500 francs.
Runabout or Limousine.
Benjamin is showing practically tho
only new feature In two seated rum
about at 10000 francs, which by slipping
the hood into place can be transferred
into an interior drive limousine. This
is having almost as great success as
E:nston's aluminium two seated sport
model at 11.000 francs.
For those wanting a novelty there is
a new Helica and q new Eolia, both re-
sembling the body of an airplane
mounted on four solid wheels and pro-
PEELED by four foot helices located IN
the front of the machine. 1t Is capable
Of carrying two passengers, develops a
speed of fifty miles an hour and weighs
about 500 pounds. while the price COM
plete is less than 1900 francs. Nat
urally the public is turning to cycle
cars with the prices slashed to this ex-
tent. and firms like the Pierce-Arow,
charging $500 (. o. b. Buffalo for a
six cylinder 3S-horse power car. and
Napier, charging f2,100 I. o. b. London
for a six cylinder 50-horse power car,
must realize that the French market is
closed to them. at least until exchange