Evening star., 1925-01-25
GREATER VARIETY
OF CARS DISPLAYED
Increased Number of Types
at Show Compensates
for Fewer Makes.

Fewer makes. but a greater variety
of models mounted on proved chassis,
large attendance of appreciative
motorists and gay colors in exhibits
we'll in decorations marked the
opening of the fifth annual automo-
bile show of the Washington Automo-
tive Trade Association at Convention
Hall last night.
Virtually all of the 81 makes of
passenger cars displayed are well
known to the average motorist. but
there is much in the way of new mod
els by these standard car makers to
be seen. For business men this years
show features a number of motor
trucks and light commercial vehicles
including the REQ. Pierce Arrow,
Maxwell, Dodge and Ford.
A number of makes that have be-
come bywords in automotive history
are missing, but none save the motor
tst who sets out with the idea OF
checking up the absentees would be
likely to notice it. The survivors of
year of keen competition have so
much to reveal in the way of striking
color combinations, body styles, me-
chanical features and attractive price
tags that the spectator has to work
fast to take in the whole display at
one visit.
The exhibits include Willys-knisht,
Packard, Flint, Overland, Ford, Lin
coin, Studebaker, Hudson, Essex, Max
we'll, Chrysler, Oldsmobile, Oakland,
Paige, Jewett, Sterns Knight, Dodge,
Moon, Nash, Marmon, Buick, Pierce
Arrow, Peerless, REQ, Gardner, Rol-
lin, Auburn, Velie, Jordan, Hupmo-
bile. Star, Durant, Chevrolet. Ricken-
hacker, Cleveland, Wllls-St. Claire
and Cadillac.
Particular interest seemed to CEN
ter in the 1925 closed models which
are revealed in a number OF styles,
the coach type predominating among
the body innovations. The hve-pas-
senger sedan, however, seems to De
on display a every booth and prob
ably exceeds in number the five-paS-
senger touring cars, or phaetons.
Sport Model Popular.
The sport roadster received the mo-
torist's Endorsement last night ana
bids fair TO be among the main at
fractions of the week. 1t seems TO DC
the spirit of youth at the show. near
" every one casting admiring glances
at it's tvo-tone finish, its easy-chair
seat cushions, its rakish lines ana
lavish equipmene.
Several manufacturers are display
ing entirely new lines for the hrst
time in Washington. Hupp, for In
stance. offers a closeup Of Its new
straight eight Likewise, Gardner and
Auburn WHY'S Knight has new
six of the knight type, while Over
land is out with new poppet-ValVe
six These, together with many new
mechanical and body changes on the
other cars, will be reviewed IN detail
by the automobile editor of The Star
later in the week.
Unlike former automobile shows, |
this one includes more to interest
iotC
cially have more to inspect and dis
cuss, owing to the predominance of
closed cars with their interesting and
attractive fittings. The motorist
himself has a lot to look at around
the chassis and, in particular, much
to interest him in the line of price
tags.
Prices on closed and open models
actually match in some of the booths
and where there is a difference it is
usually Unexpectedly small Even at
the extremely low figures most cars
are better equipped than at any
previous show. Bumpers, moto- |
meters, windshield cleaners, mirrors, |
clocks, gasoline guages and other |
we'll known accessories have become |
standard equipment on many cars.
Body Finishes shown.
Particular interest was manifested |
by last nights attendance in the |
matter of finishes for the bodies of |
the cars. Duco leads the procession, |
but there are a number of other
brands of body finish on display, in
cluding the lacquer variety, which
gives to the cars soft ap-
pearance and offers freedom from
scratching.
Four-wheel brakes and balloon
tires, being displayed on a majority
of cars, have actually become an old
story in the fast pace of motor prog |
ress, the straight-eight type of motor
being the piece dc resistance" Six
makes of cars thus equipped are ex-
hibited at the show.
Under the hood and around the
chassis, however, there are many re-
finements and improvements that Will
probably mean more to the average
motorist when he gets right down to
tho business of discovering just how
far the 1925 automobile is ahead of
it's predecessor. There was so much
to be seen on the surface last night
that most of the folk who attended
probably missed the real show of the
show. One trip won't do for the
motor fan who wants to make a
thorough examination of all the cars,
individually and collectively.
AS usual the meZzanine is devoted
to accessories, and, as usual, these
exhibits attracted huge crowds that
fingered long over the various de-
vices demonstrated.
This years decorative scheme is a
distinct departure from that of for
mer shows. and even more appealing
in its charm. Real, live birds twit-
tering away in the trees that border
either side of the main aisle offer a
novelty in automobile show staging
that brought forth much favorable
comment from the visitors. Two
orchestraS, under the direction of
Meyer Goldman. provided much to
make the evening merry with a well
chosen program of tuneful and happy
pieces.
Following a previous show custom,
the exhibition will remain closed to-
day, but will run for a full week,
opening again tomorrow afternoon.
The doors will be open from l to