Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1927-10-16
WHLPPET Gets
DRIVING TEST
Makes New York to
California Trip in
Five DAYS

Driving alone from Sacramento,
Calf, to New York City, a distance
Of 3205 miles in s days and 8 hours,
Chester Killmeyer plotting a Stan
dard Whippet roadster has establish
ed q new record for tranxontInental
trips BY q solitary driver. The for.
ner record stood at I days for the
complete trip.
Arriving at the Western Union Of.
flee at ls5 Broadway, New York,
|S;S 0. m. Wednesday morning, Mr.,
Killmeyer had driven a distance 81
726 miles from Fl. Wayne, Ind, with
out rest. He was checked out by
Western Union in Sacramento at EOS
Friday, September 2, and throughout
the trip averaged $50 miles a day.
Halls were made on the trip only
TO enable the driver to snatch a few
hours rest and to obtain food and
fuel. During the entire run no stops
were made for adjustments or re-
pairs Of any kind with the exception
Of one Tightening OF the brakes when
crossing the Allegheny mountains.
In Good Shape
Mr.. Killmeyer who appeared in ex-
cellent physical condition after the
g~ruelling ride was welcomed to New
York by the officials Of the WHY'S
Overland branch in the presence Of
enormous Broadway crowds who
gathered TO see the lone eagle of
the highways and his car. A careful
check of his Whippet showed it to
be in perfect mechanical condition at
the end of the trip with its perform
ance paralleling that of a new car.
A standard roadster purchased
from the Willys-Overland dealer in
Sacramento was used by Killmeyer
in making the trip. After "break-
ing in" his new car for 500 miles,
Killmeyer started on his record
breaking run without any special tun-
ing or adjustments.
The entire trip was financed and
conducted personally by Mr.. Kill
meyer. who, DESTROYS Of returning To
New York quickly, decided he would
lower the existing record Of z days
established several months ago.
"There were times" Killmeyer
said, "when the car was entirely
clear of the road after striking rough
spots. Most Of the way our speed
was between so and go miles an hour
while at many points the speedom.
eter showed SO miles an hour"
No Discomfort
"After 16 hours of straight driving
/ did not suffer any particular dis.
comfort and attribute my good con
dition at the end of the run TO the
exceptional riding qualities Of the
car.
Dozens of high priced cars along
THE route attempted to outdistanct
me on the hills and level roads but
not a single car was able to keeI
our pace for more than a few miles.
without the Whippet four whee'
brakes we would have been a 'goner
many times" killmeyer said. att wa,
only the reliability of the brakes
coupled with the lower center 0.
gravity that enabled US to tax,
mountain curve at so miles AZ
hour"
Killmeyer paid a great tribute Il
his car when he remarked TO tn
Western Union official ut the ens
OF his trip, IL doubt IL there IL an
other car in or near the Whine
class that could have stood the pun
ishment / subjected my car to OF
this trip. ] knew we'd get through
but I sure put my car to the test"
In offering advice Il any on'
undertaking a long fast drive alone
Killmeyer stated the secret Of a sue
cessful trip is to take a proper res
even il it is only for two hours
Every night I took a bath slept II
a regular bed and more important
] neglected or FASTENED m,
meals"