The Coconino sun., 1925-02-27
ON ONE THINC---CARS---
DOLLAR BUYS MORE NOW

StaII representative OF SludeDakeI
cars.
At no time in the history of the
motor car industry has the dollar
spent brought back to the spender So
many miles of untroubled transporta-
ton, so much comfort, or power, dis
tinction, luxury, convenience or serv-
ice.
At no time in that history has the
spending of an automobile dollar been
attended with so little loss through
repairs, maintenance, delays and an
noyances attendant upon the use of
any machinery.
'Today's automobile has more power,
more comfort, more disability, better
appearance. 1t is outfitted with con-
veniences undreamed of a decade ago
It's power plant runs with greater re-
liability, less trouble, greater economy
and yet the car is bought for almost
the lowest price, including all these
advantages, that it ever has sold for,
even when it had none of these adj
vantages.
The year 1918 has been considered
low water mark year for prices. TAX
ing, as an example, car that will not
involve invidious comparisons, a
Studebaker Special Six sedan sold that
year for $3.50.
Judged by the standards of that
year, today's car of the same make
and model is actually worth approx
mately S875 more than it was then.
Yet today's price is within $35 of that
low water mark.
The whole motor car industry today
represents something of that increase
in the value of the automobile dollar
With the growth of larger companies
which can give larger value for the
dollar by reason of quantity produc-
ton, complete manufacture, low over
head costs and enormous plant facili-
ties, the value of the motor car dol
lar is still growing.
Companies not enjoying these larger
facilities are dropping out or are be-
ing absorbed, but the continued march
of the dollar value goes on.
Continuing the illustration referred
cent more power than that of 1918.
Mechanical difficulties present then
have practically all disappeared, by
reason of fully machined crankshafts
Of larger size which end vibration;
better fabrication under pressure with
constantly strained oil; waterproofed
ignition systems and electrical wiring
enclosed in metal conduits; automatic
spark advance, valves for crank case
draining which make it unnecessary to
crawl under the car and dozens of
other improvements of similar nature
ending the old-time mechanical trou-
bles.
Undreamed of comfort in the car
today comes from full balloon tires,
curled hair and cotton padded cush-
ions, mohair upholstery and softer
tempered springs.
Gone is the gas lamp, the oil light,
and their troubles. The electric light
ing control Of today's car is on the
steering wheel, at finger tips.
What was called best kerosene a
decade ago is standard fuel today;
hot-spot and double manifold devices
burn it properly.
A decade ago coachwork and body
building was considered an art. Yet
today there is added to even better
woodworking all the strength and Sc
curity of steel and, where a company
makes its ewn bodies, like Studebaker
the automobile dollar buys a sound
ness and security and comfort in a
motor car body that could not pos
sibly have been included decade
ago.
Accessories by the dozen were added
to the factory car by buyers then. To-
day, on the special six sport roadster,
for instance, one finds as standard
equipment front and rear bumpers,
locked motometer and winger radiator
cap; combination rear and stop light,
glass windshield wings; extra. tire,
tub and cover; one-piece windshield
and automatic cleaner; rear view mir
ror and ornamental outside bows.
On other cars are trunks containing
suitcases, or racks for them; dome
and reading lamps, mohair-covered
robe rails and foot rests, heaters. On
all are clocks, gallon gasoline gauges
on the dash and metal plate for the
owners name.
The automobile bought with today's
dollar skips over hills on high gear
which, decade ago, gave car a
struggle on low. So reliable are to-
days motor cars that journeys once
considered great feats are common
practice and there's no. journey in
America today that's regarded as un-
usual.
All these improvements, these ac-
cessories, this greater power and re-
liability have been added, yet the price
is practically the same as in 1918,
though material and labor costs have
kept steadily rising.
The automobile dollar today is the
only dollar spent which yields a great
er return than before the war, solely
because of the quantity production,
complete manufacture and economical
administration of vast plants and
equipment, in which Studebaker is a
conspicuous example, as shown by its
enormous increases in sales during
the last four months.
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