Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-29
NEW MODELS VIE
IN INNOVATIONS
This Years Auto Show Offers
Outstanding Group for
Choice.
BY RUDOLPH JOSE,

director washington Auiomooie SHOW
Those waShingtonians who for tn
past eight years annually have pail
their respects to the latest model moto
vehicle as displayed in the automo
bile show of the Washington Auto
motive Trade Association at this time
We feel confident, already are express
ins the belief that the 1928 exhibit
ton has given promise of becoming
one of the most successful and at TIT
same time most significant: We have
ever held.
This is true because the washington
Auditorium this year Is housing mor'
notably outstanding group OF new
models than it ever has been the prlVi
lege of members of the Washlngtoi
Automotive Trade Association 10 offer
Engineer. body designer. dealer-al
have co-operated in an epochal man
ner TO assure the production OF al
automobile which would so far outStrll
its predecessors as TO make even th'
most blaSe motorist or non-motorlS
literally gasp with amazement.
Let us make a brief survey OF thl:
composite motor vehicle and see VIII!
ii marks such a definite advance ovel
the models which have gone before.
Improved Body Designs.
First to catch the eye of the be-
holder is the body. Lower, larger
more wildly finished than ever before
il represents. in addition to more APP
pealing beauty. emphatically notable
improvements in the matter OF safety
and comfort. The new lownesS Is
achieved in two ways, both almost uni
versally used; drop frames and smaller
wheels.
Many steps have been taken to en-
nance comfort Every car Is equipped
with longer, wider and in many cases
more flexible springs. These work in
collaboration with devices TO contro!
spring recoil with remarkably good ef-
feet. Rubber mounting. ball-oearine
shackles and other methods are valu-
able in the reduction Of spring noise
as well as in comfort
Form-fitting seats. adjustable. better
sprung and more deeply upholstered
these also contribute largely to the
car-makers confidence that he can
sustain his claim to genuine riding
comfort Further than this, the adop-
ton of wider treads has made possible
the increased width of seats. and leg
room, so much desired, has been made
a reality in almost every case by the
adoption of longer wheel base. Longer
wheel base is general throughout every
price class.
In variety, too. bodies are especially
important. Every manufacturer has
extended his line to include virtually
every possible body style.
Closed cars reveal continuing atten-
ton to the question of driver and pas
senger visibility expressed IN the form
of still narrower body posts, one,plece
windshields of greater depth and larger
windows. Even the double windshield
cleaner is being used by few manu-
facturers TO take care of the mcreas-
ing demand for the utmost in visibility.
Deeper CowI.
An important contribution TO the
grace Of the 1928 cars is the newest
radiator treatment, to be found on VIZ
tually all creations. Supplementing
the new radiator in the matter OF i'm
proving frontal appearance Is the ex-
tension of the cowl, the adoption Of
deeper and IN some cases narrower
hoods and the increase in the number
Of hood LOWERS.
More graceful tenders. fun crowned.
longer running boards. deeper splash
ers. the universal Use OF bumpers. ali
make important contributions 10 the
better appearance of the latest mooelS.
Below the hood one finds many more
changes Of the utmost importance.
Most significant is the fact that en-
gines have been made larger. Roomier
cars require more power, so the en-
gineer has been forced 70 increase the
piston displacement in order that nexi-
bility and speed might not be sacrl-
feed on the altar Of desire Tor greaIer
comfort.
Increased piston displacement has not
given the 1928 engine all OF Its greater
power by any means. Higher comples.
sion Is revealed almost from one end
OF the field 20 the other. and the last
member Of the triad is higher engine
speeds. The horse power range, from
as TO IFS, is one Of the most important
features Of the new motor car story ana
Is of the greatest value 10 the public
which demands performance from It's
automotiye purchases.
Increased Mileage.
Greater power and higher speed have
been made possible from smaller
amount Of fuel. which also must rank as
good news 20 the person who wants one
more reason why he should acquire one
Of the 1928 models.
Valve, camShaft, crankshaft, piston
and bearing changes have been mace 10
iron out the vibration that would otner-
wise exist with the new type OF power
plant.
The person who can steer one o! the
newest cars and then 90 back and con-
vince himself that the Old car steers just
as wslI has q genius for sef-nypuoSiS.
Steering gear reductions OF Is 10 j and
higher are used with splendid effect IN
the latest cars. which bring "nngef-tip
steering 10 the state Of an actually.
The sfnaii-rim steering wheel Is appar-
ent On all sides. The most common
steering mechanism Is the cam and
lever type.
Four wheel brakes have taken the last
s,songhoids Of the tgo-xneel types. Al
forms Of four-xae brakes haze been
improved gpiencidiy and two new notes
are eoundec~by the vacuum brakes OF
one line and the stselGrauIic varieties
Used on two others.
Handy Controls.
Controls are placed on top Of the
steering wheel IN virtually every case
making lights and horns it1meciat ~
useful when the neec arises. In add
Ton. gesr-ssi:. levers are right 81 hand
Emergency brake levers also are moro
available.
There is little change To be recorded
In instrument boards. save That the mo-
tDuseLer has given way 70 the ub5boi
heat indicator Ia several more Instances
There, then. IL q summary " some
Of the features which make up the cai
about which the Washington Autoiao'
tive Trade Association has built It's 1874
sxoaktt.Asa Viewed oddly and IN liz
elezr hight u scientific understanding
that summary stands ~ 4 nOtable rec
Jrd OF progress. al a definitely important
milestone on the road which 80 surely
Ias been leadjng " d better, finer, 4
,x,0r@ useful automobile tor every orr,
surely. no oar interested In tha'
progress will allow the week 70 draw u
h. CONCLUSION without having seen 'hii
emt,,oinaert u modern engineering ge'