Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-08
BY WILLIAM M. LAAS.
OPD ROTHERMERE, British pu

ii
hsner, may soon be the proud
possessor of the worlds most
- expensive automobile. 1t will
have a chassis of solid silver and
body OF hammered gold. On its gilt
tering radiator the car will bear in
gold the motto. "Veritas Vincit"-Truth
Triumphs This creation. At to quicken
the pulse of the most blase automobile
thief, will cost 100000
Franz Bert. automobile manufac-
turer. has asked the Hungarian gov
eminent to approve the gift. which is
TO express gratitude for Lord Rother-
meres aid in restoring TO Hungary
certain bordering territories. If con-
structed, 1t will be the most costly
gas buggy on record
Even the automobiles of fabulously
rich Oriental potentates most lavish of
the worlds spendthrifts, cannot COM
pare with this one. For in their choice
of cars Asiatic princes are surprisingly
practical Most of them are content
with American limousines. redecorated
with magnificent tapestries and orna-
ments.
The Maharajah OF Patiala owned
sport touring car worth $4,000. IT
was built for big-game hunting. enam-
eled all over in camouflage design
and bristling with guns like battle
ship. The cars interior was decorated
in mahogany. with pure white ivory
handles on all the controls. Yet II
was intended for use rather than for
display.
Most motorists, however. are prob
ably more interested in finding the
cheapest practicable automobile rather
than the most expensive. Such a one
is collegiate fiivver bought for Sl2
In 1915 by Columbia University stu
dent and still going strong after about
$4,000 miles Many of Its parts were
picked up from wrecked cars and dump
heaps. and 1t is tastefully decorated
with red paint and wise-cracks It's
owner boasts of speed of 10 miles an
hour and az miles TO gallon of gas.
Manufacturers have placed the av-
erage life of motor car at eight years.
but some of the old-timers still on the
road give them the lie. recent road
race for old cars in England was won
by an 1893 machine. which covered the
so miles from London TO Brighton at
an average speed Of 20 miles an hour.
And the Oldest car in France. the be-
| loved Antoinette of Able Gavois, who
bought 1t in 1895, was recently sold for
more than 1t cost--to museum.
Every since the invention of the horse
less carriage" nearly 40 years ago. in
ventors have been constantly improving
on the original device. There have
been steam cars, electric cars, motors
using wood, sawdust, charcoal or alco-
hol for fuel. But of the 80, 0OO, 900 auto
mobiles now In the world practically
all are built along the general lines first
laid down by Elwood Haynes In 1898.
The first~-the very first--self- pro-
polling road vehicle Is still In existence
at Oyster Bay, N, Y. II Is the Fiery
Demon" built by one Richard Dudgeon
In 1855. The strange contraption.
which looks like cross between loco
motive and hay wagon, was pro-
PEELED by steam engine, using coal as
fuel. 1t could develop speed OF 10
miles an hour. but no one could make
It hold the road by steering. When
starting lengthy run, horse and
| wagon had to be sent ahead with a
| supply Of coal. But In Its construction
we're incorporated the first rotary pipe
| boiler and sovereign" hub.
The gasoline automobile was first
patented by ElWood Haynes, and his
model Is now In the Smithsonian In
stitution. But the honor Is also claim
| ed for Charles II. Black, an Indian
apolis blacksmith who perfected a
gasoline runabout in 1891. He asked for
a patent on his engine. so the story
goes. just two weeks after the German
inventor Of the gasoline motor had
| filed his application Although he was
offered protection for his different.N
gear and floating rear axle, now used on
all cars, Black was disguised and de-
clined The rusty wreck al his auto
mobile Is still In existence.
The latest development In automo~
biles has been In the field of small cars,
which are needed to combat increasing
congestion One of the very tiniest Is
The German "land-skiff" torpedo
shaped single passenger car, Weighing
only 60 pounds, capable Of a speed OF
90 miles an hour. The newest midget