Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-31
PERFECT AUTO ARRIVES
AS EVERY TASTE is MET

while it is true that Il large majority
of their following now prefer skies
and Fights. those who still prefer
medium size fourS were left without
an adequate supply. If these people
could not buy Il good four cylinder
| automobile, the modern motor car
would still be for from perfection in
| their estimation.
! 1t would not surprise any one TO see
| the balloon tire less numerous on
| cars at some future automobile SHOW.
At present, it looks like landslide
in favor of the low pressure tire, but
it is well to remember that the aver
age motorist includes this type Of tire
in his specifications for the perfect
car largely because of the prevalence
of light cars and the rough condition
of so large n percentage of the paved
mileage. What would happen if
way were found to keep good roads
smooth? Already several cars are
equipped with rubber shackles which
do some of the work now left to the
tires.
Balloon tires. in. general. are of
smaller cross-section and of siN-ply
carcass this year. But this does not
indicate q trend toward smaller bal
looms that are more nearly like cords.
The indication is one of greater recog-
milton for the fact that perfect cars
must be cars that meet individual re
quirementS. One of the biggest and
finest does not use balloons because 1t
rides we'll enough without them. Just
because six-ply tires happen to be on
a ma jority of cars does not mean that
the four-ply is doomed. Many will
prefer the latter because 1t can pro-
vide the greatest amount of cushion
ing with the least strain. 1t is also
we'll to remember that the perfect
automobile to Il large number OF
people is still the car equipped with
narrow width cords.
Seeing the trends from a broad
angle one is not likely to be confused
by the shifts in wheel bases this year.
as we'll as in the changes in engine
sizes Observers who ever are on the
alert for evidences Of the present-day
samples of tomorrow trends were
certain that the 1926 show would re-
veal n large group of midget cars with
smaller engines than ever before.
There was just such trend last year.
b6t many overlooked the fact that
while there is definite place for the
small car with the small but highly
efficient engine there can be no per-
lection unless the man who desires
larger car can find what he is seeking.
Just at present, ii is possible that the
swing back TO larger cars is a bit too
'IbTuDl anu SOLllc" ilSI Jul Va 1iiiC "4tii
the needs Of the times.
Wide Variation Shown.
OF So models of American cars.
Jnting only chassis models. there
q. 46 with wheel bases of 12e inches
and over. Wheel bases of 130 inches
or over are found on 16. The racing
engines now being designed for the
future racing will be limited to a pis-
ton displacement of only 911a inches,
yet 60 out of s. engines OF American
cars have displacements Of 200 cubic
inches or over. There are II engines
with displacements of 800 and over,
while have displacements of 400
cubic inches or over.
1t is not confusion that marks such
difference in construction, but variety.
This variety is based upon demand.
In this, of course, the automotive
engineer is given rather free rein be-
cause, while the motorist knows what
he wants, he is not in a position to
specify the correct ingredients. This
explains why some of the most intri-
cate and delicate designs or equipments