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

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Plating, of nickel and chromium,
also abounds to add bright spot
/ here and there to the already bril-
liant exterior. Chromium, rustless,
Wearless and easy to clean, has
been ION the way for two years
/ for the purpose of exterior decora-
ton. 1t has arrived.
In all of these steps to make the
car more comfortable and beauti-
full, there is nothing very radical.
/ However, when applied virtually
simultaneously, as they have been,
the effect produced is something
that looks far better and far diff
ferent than anything that has been
created in the past.
Below the Hood
Below the hood one finds many
more changes of the utmost I'm
portance Significant things have
happened to the engine during the
past year. little things, but in the
aggregate. most vital. Most sig.
nificant is the fact that engines
have been made larger. Roomier
cars require more power. so the
engineer has been forced to increase
the piston displacement in order
that flexibility and speed might not
be sacrificed on the altar OF desire
for greater comfort.
Increased piston displacement has
not given the 1928 engine all of its
greater power by any means.
Higher compression is revealed al
most from one end of the field
to the other, and the last member
of the triad is higher engine speeds.
The horse power range. from IS to
lis, is one of the most important
/ go
and is of the greatest value to the
public which demands performance
from its automotive purchases.
Greater power and higher speed
have been made possible from
smaller amount of fuel. which also
must rank as good news to the
person who wants one more reason
WHY he should acquire one Of the
1928 models.
Thermostatic cooling has won
several new converts during the last
year and the higher compression
and greater displacement of all en-
gines has forced size increases and
improvements in cooling systems
generally. 1t is interesting to note
that but three cars employ the
thermo.syphon method.
ManifOIding Retirement
One cannot ignore the new notes
In manifolding expressed in the
1928 automobiles without missing
one of their most valuable advances.
A great deal of the superior engine
performance il due to the better
ments wrought in the unit that
conducts the gas vapor from the
carbureter~ to the cylinders.
Better carbureters are used quite
generally in the 1928 cars. Flexf-
biIity and high speed have called
for gasoline that is Immediately
available and the demand has
brought about the ''accelerating
well'' feature in carburetion. 1t Is
simply a compartment In which
reserve of gasoline is stored against
the instant when the accelerator
is depressed.
With one exception, the multiple
disc clutch has disappeared. The
single-plate variety, remaining, has
been Importantly modified in many
cases, however Between the driven
and driving members Of the 1928
clutch, a rubber member has been
inserted 1t performs yeoman SER
vice in eliminating not only clutch
vibration but in preventing that
ancient evil, the matching of engine
and transmission unit vibrations.
The person who can steer one OF
the newest cars and then go back
and convince himself that the old
car steers just as well has a genius
for self-hypnosis. Steering gear re-
auctions Of Is to / and higher are
used with splendid effect in the lat
est cars which bring "finger-tip
steering" to the state of an actual.
ity. The small rim steering wheel
is apparent on all sides. The most
common steering mechanism is the
cam and lever type.
FOur.Wheel Brakes
Four-wheel brakes have taken the
last strongholds of the two-WheeI
types. All forms of four.wheel
brakes have been improved splen-
didly and two new notes are
sounded-by the vacuum brakes of
one line and the steeldraulic vari-
cites used on two others.
Controls are placed on top Of the
steering wheel in virtually every
case. making lights and horns inn
mediately useful when the need
arises. In addition gear-shift levers
are right at hand. Emergency brake
levers also are more available.
hSiS - llLlle CildnSB 10 De re"
corded in instrument boards, save
that the motor meter has given way
to the motor heat indicator in sew.
eral more instances.
There, then. is a summary of
the features which make up the
car about which the Washington
Automotive Trade Association has
built its 1928 exhibition. Viewed
coldly, and in the clear light of
scientific understanding, the sum.
mary stands as a notable record
of progress, as a definitely inpor.
tant milestone on the road which
so surely has been leading to a |
better, a finer, more useful auto
mobile for everyone.
Surely. no one interested in that
progress viii allow the week to
draw to its conclusion without
having seen this embodiment of
modern engineering genius. indus. |
trial enterprise and scientific dis. |
covery!