Evening star., 1927-05-22
MOTORING
erumped and then the
o mote
BY WILLIAM ULLMAN.

cars themselves, would be
sold If there were more con-
vincing ways of demonstrating their
advantages. There arc many new
principles involved in the new auto
mobiles as we'll as in the equipment
which goes on those machines,
which do not get across to the pub
lie even when elaborately described.
The public likes to be shown, and a
convincing demonstration. simple
and interesting, appears TO be the
best way of showing it.
The underlying theory is clearly
demonstrated in the case of one of
the new spark plugs. This plug is
so designed that when the engine
is cooled the points are close to-
gether, gradually widening as the
engine heats up so as to render
spark conditions more in keeping
with engine operating conditions. 1t
would be difficult for the manufac-
turers of this new device to explain
the whole situation to a skeptical
public, and il might be fatal to leave
the proof of the pudding to the cat
ing, for relatively few motorists can
tell with any degree of accuracy
whether or not a new device is pro-
ducing better results. This manu-
facturer takes no risks, but instead
offers very simple demonstration in
the form of holding lighted match
or candle to the point of a spark
plug. If the plug is of the new type
the points widen bit as they heat.
Several manufacturers have seen
the wisdom of providing their deal
ers with equipment to demonstrate
various features of their cars, such
as the brakes, valve action, oiling
system and various other features.
If the. motorst can see what hap
pens he understands the process
more clearly Nothing has to be left
70 guesswork, and the best part of
the whole trend is that the motorist
who wants to know the truth about
such new things does not have to rely
upon the rather questionable judg-
ment OF those other motorists who
may be using these new devices
without definite idea as to where
to look for results.
~
The automobile having been devel-
oped to high degree of mechanical
perfection, attention now centers on
the eXternals, and all motordom is
witnessing transition which scarcely
was anticipated.
Several years ago the automobile
was rather difficult to care for, in
ternally and externally. But the mo-
torist did not complain, because his
car was something of a novelty, and
he found much pleasure in "fussing"
with il.
Not so long ago the business of
cleaning spark plugs every week or
so was no more irksome than wash
ing ard chanoising the highly fin
ished body. 1t was all part of the
game, and no one complained. Own
ers used their cars less and for that
reason had more time TO work OIL
them!
But as motor use increased some
of these jobs had to be dropped. 1t
wasn't possible to add go miles to
the. speedometer in a days time and
then grease the car all over as
finale. For time the shops were
filled with sadly neglected cars, but
the, manufacturers were quick TO
remedy the situation Not only did
they start to simplify the Car me-
chanieally, but they also began to
simplify its external features. Nickel
vanished from some makes until they
were drab-looking products, indeed.
Then came the dull finishes that
looked more or less the same day in
and day out, regardless of the care
they received. Even when the lacquer
finishes arrived, they were in drab
tones. largely with the idea of MAX
ing cars look less conspicuous. A
dirty car was less of an eyesore.
But mechanical improvements and
simplihcation in service. methods
made, great strides. The car owner
found he could use. his machine quite
extensively, and by sending it 20 a
good, service shop at regular inter-
walls little would happen in the way
of mechanical grief. And that opened
the way to gay cars with bright ex
ternals and all manner of trimmings!
Trainers Of the national uniform
traffic code will consider the proposal
of prominent Washington NOR.
ticiar that the burning of headlights
shall identify the automobiles that
make up a funeral cortege, Since
the complete motorization of the
mortician's equipment it has become
increa sinely difficult to identify the
funeral procession from the general
traffic stream. AS result, although
it has the right of way in many
towl,s and cities, the cortege fire.
quently is forced to stop for other
traffic.
Sponsors of the proposal to burE
the headlights of the cars in the pro-
cession declare it has proved sue
cessfui in the cities in which the plan
has been tried
After a trial it has been recon-
mended as an amendment to the Dis
trict of Columbia traffic regulations.
There is great variety of auto
mobile speedways. Paris can boast
of ont that is among the most haz-
ardous i'll the world. 1t is located
on the. balcony around the eighth
floor of an enormous garage. Sand
bags are placed around the outer rail
TO give the. drivers more protection
than otherwise would be available,
but even this precaution strikes the
average observer as being far from
adequate.
The speeds made on this track, of
course, arc not those achieved on
the fast American board tracks, but
they are real speeds under the con-
ditions.
"
Life insurance companies are busy