Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-06

Having made its startling entrance,
| won the admiration of the public and
started on it's way to success in every
conceivable form, the 1927 automobile
begins now to step into new role
that of prophet.
Sooner or later. after 1t has been
subjected to the interested and crltl-
cal study Of motor enthusiasts
throughout the country, every annual
creation Of the automotive industry
assumes the character of a harbinger
of what is yet to come. Perhaps II is
because the public generally Is becom'
ing motor-curious, as 1t becomes more
motor-wise, that the 1927 automobile
Is forced to assume this role earlier in
life than it's predecessor.
The automotive engineer. of course,
is the prophet, and the car his medium
of expression.
1t is an excellent sign for the auto
mobile industry that the public Is be-
coming interested in what the newest
car foretells. as we'll as what 1t is,
That this is indutiably drue Is evident
In the fact that the 1927 products
have been accorded a reception which
excels anything of the past.
Evidence Added Each Week.
BY coming and seeing, the public
has been conquered quite more thor
oughly than the most optimistic OF
those within the industry could have
hoped. Each week adds convincing
evidence to substantiate this point.
Now. thoroughly satisfied that they
have looked upon the greatest auto
motive product in history. motorists
quite naturally begin to look about
for the most significant prophecy built
INT hn mn nj yxrlai nI
phatically caught their fancy.
Because it is not particularly con.
spicuous, it Is possible that one of the
most forward-lookin features Of the
current automotive product might be
missed. 1t is far too vital, however,
| to be overlooked.
The feature in question Is the
growth of chromium plating. a pro
cess which is being applied at the
moment largely in the form Of Goa ting
| for the exterior of radiator shells and
| being used, in a limited degree, ir
pump shafts. Such a fea ture il not
| so obvious as more delicate and har
monious finishes. changes in body de
| sign and the like.
But, It may be prophetic of some
thing far more important than that
which Is foretold in any other por
| ton of the automobile OF the moment
| From chromium NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
| as it undoubtedly will be--may
! come the relatively wear-proof auto
| mobile, a vehicle which will last per
| haps five times as long az the present
car--so long in fact that the owner
may sell it because 1t has gone ont
of style rather than because it has
| worn out.
Chromium Sure to Come.
In dealing with this vision Of the
future, II may be wise to point ou
! to the prospective buyer of one of tbs
current cars that he need not stay
| his purchase in fear that his acquisi
ton will be out of date before 1t /.
| out of the salesroom. Chromium 1.
coming. but not so quickly that thu
| 1927 car buyer lack time in which
TO reap the full measure of enjoy
| nnent from his investment.
The automobile manufacturer is too
| conscious of his responsibility fol-
that even If 1t were possible to de
velop Immediately the fne features
which now are in the laboratory.
What Is chromium?
It Is the hardest metal ever de
veloped, with the exception of car
borundum, emery and similar mate