The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-01-28

representatives of America $
For weeks we have been pre-
pairing for the event whose open
Ing Is but turn Of the clocF
away. Now, with all the shining
and handsome models In place
with the Auditorium brilliantly
beautiful picture in decorative
scheme. and with scores of ex.
perts eagerly awaiting to explain
and expOund the remarkable
achievements of the newest cars
we have b temporary resting spell
before the real work of show
week begins.
we OF the Washington Automo
tive Trade Association are happy
indeed to welcome the National
Capital to the 1923 automobile show
We are more glad than we ever
have been before because never IN
the history OF these increasingly
popular displays have we been able
to offer SO much of interest anc
importance to the public.
This year Is an epoch-making one
ia our industry and for the public
whose interest in it is so deep and
significant. The cars are finer me-
chemically than ever they have
been; they are better proportionedi
they are more economical; they are
safer; they will run far longer at
FAR less maintenance cost. In every
respect, the 1928 car is a better one
than its predecessor. and that is
the story which the automobile
show tells IN striking manner.
EYlte, 80 sSs.S1rrgT ISneefvrc ~ T1ng1F
into the washington Auditorium at
T:SO O'Clock tonight. what win ii
rec in respect to d composite car?
What will be its outstanding
characteristics, ais to appearance as
vel as II those important functions
Wlaiehs to the average observer,
usually are not seen?
Bodies VIII Appeal
First to catch the eye Of the be-
holder Is the body. Lower. larger,
more wildly finished than ever be-
lore. Il represents, In addition to
more appealing beauty, emphatically
notable improvements in the matter
of safety and comfort. The new
lowness is achieved in two ways,
Doth almost universally used; drop
4ranles and smaller wheels.
These two changes Rave enhanced
safety BY lowering both tie center
Of gravity and center of mass. thus
giving the car O. roadabili.y that il
truly amazing, although absolutely
essential in the face # the higher
speeds OF the latest cars, some OF
which will exceed 80 nlph.
TO enhance comfort. many steps
have been taken Every car is
xrrsf1A q
many cases, more flexible springs
These work in collaboration with de.
vices to control spring recoil with
nemarkabIy good effect. Rubber
mounting. ball-bearing shackles and
other methods are valuable in the
reduction Of spring noise, as well as
IN comfort.
Weight has been better distributed
the ratio OF sprung 10 Lnsprung
weight improved. and other steps
varying in the individual case have
been taken to make the ne " springs
considerably more efficient. But,
just as important as any Of these
steps, is the universal recognition 81
the fact that springs alone do not
hold the secret of riding comfort.
Form Fitting Seats
seats, better sprung and mere deep
1y upholstered seats-ttese also con.
tribute largely to the carmaker's
confidence that he can sustain mis-
claim to genuine riclng comfort
Further than this, the adoption OF
wider treads has made possible the
increased width Of seats, and leg.
room, so much desired, has been
made reality in ALMOST every case
by the adoption of longer wheelbase.
Longer wheelbase is general through.
out every price class.
In variety, too, bodies are espe.
cialiy important. Every manufac-
turer has extended his line TO
include virtually every possible body
style.
Composite bodies Of steel and
wood are used by virtually all car
makers. Four, however, offer a
wide variety of body styles in all
steel. But, regardless of whether
they are of composite or of all
steel construction, closed cars re.
veal continuing attention to the
question of driver and passenger
visibility expressed in the form
OF still narrower BODY posts. one.
piece windshields of greater depth
and larger windows. Even the
double Windshield cleaner is being
used by a few manufacturers to
take care of the increasing demand
for the utmost in visibility.
The fabric body, so long forecast
Tor adoption in America, still has
10 make its appearance.
Looking at the lower bodies. one
might easily sense a sacrifice OF
head-room in the latest cars. But
here is case where sight is de.
eeptive.
Important Contribution
"A very important contribution
- the astonishing grace of the
1928 cars Is the newest radiator
treatment, to be found on virtually
M creations. Supplementing the
new radiator in the matter of i'm.
proving frontal appearance is the
oxtension Of the cowl, the adoption
" deeper and, in some cases, mar.
FDwer hoods, and the increase in
the number of hood lowers.
More graceful tenders, full crown.
81, longer running boards, deeper
splashers, the universal use oi
bumpers and bumperettes all make
Important contributions to the bet