Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-27

A new attitude toward automobile
! shows Is expected to swell the attend
ance at every important motor exhibit
this year. Indications pointing to this
are seen in the puhlic's eagerneSs to in
| spect individual showings OF the lead
ing lines of 1929 cars.
Instead Of letting tbs auto show give
him an inferiority complex, the aver
age motorist Is now determined to make
the show pay him handsome divi-
dend in the way of useful ideas. Some
hint Of this change in the general at
titude toward shows was given last year
when q number of motorists decided
to install efficiency devices on their old
engines, and purchase additional access
series to rejuvenate the cars external
appearance. The shows proved to be
profitable in number of ways to those
who looked over the new line of prod
uctS wisely
This year it is anticipated that the
average car owner will invest his accu-
mulated experience in the shows to the
end that he may benefit not merely his
present motoring, but his future auto
MODELLING as well. He will do this large
ly through taking home suggestions for
immediate adoption and also by learn
ing from the trends observed just what
type OF car he should keep in mind
when next signing on the dotted line.
Many motorists obtain a considerable
amount OF useful information merely
from their conversation with statesmen
and other show visitors.
So many motorists have missed the
trends of the times and purchased OBJ
solete types of cars through not visit
ing the automobile show in their own
city or at New York or Chicago, it is
confidently predicted that this year will
find attendance breaking all records
Changes are developing so rapidly the
public appreciates that the only way to
keep abreast is to seize the opportunity
which only an automobile show offers.
Because the increased roominess of
bodies will be one of the big features
OF the new cars on display more show
visitors than usual will climb into the
seats to inspect the interior of closed
models. This will furnish an excellent
chance to become closer acquainted
with body details. Many will find. for
instance, what difference there is In
seat cushions, and what the mere de-
sign OF such cushions has to do with
comfort in riding.
In the past there has been too little
consideration for cushions, arm rests,
seat backs, leg room and the other
points that contribute to comfort both
while the car is at rest and In motion.
What passed for hard riding car has,
In many instances, merely been a case
Of uncomfortable cushions. This could
easily have been corrected had it been
detected and motorists would have ex-
perienced less trouble selecting their
cars.
It is very probable that at the 1929
automobile shows througout the coun-
try there will be considerable talk
about easy sitting" cars-a matter
that comes before 'easy riding"
The matter of visibility will be care
fully considered by these more skilled
inspectors of the new cars. Virtually
all makes of cars have eliminated the
blind spots at the windshield. but some
body types still present the rear panel
blind spot problem. BY sitting at the
wheels OF various cars show visitors can
judge for themselves the relative safety
of various body types.
Nothing reveals the importance of
good-looking wheels more convincingly
than an automobile show. Here one
wheel types and also can compare these
types with other models of other makes.
AS a result Of the use of low-pressure
tires, soft springs and shock absorbing
systems it is generally recognized that
there Is no difference In the riding
qualities Of steel, wood or wire wheels.
The difference now Is confined to ap-
pearance, strength, durability and ease
OF cleaning
Z. Because there 10 not so much diff
ference in the design OF engines Of
the popular cars the average person
who goes to auto shows this year can
understand the impromptu lectures on
engine operation. Valve gear Is either
sleeve or poppet. If of the latter type
the valves may be In the side, as found
in the L-head engine, or in the head.
Where valves are in the head they may
be operated by puShrods and rocker
arms from the camshaft located in the
crankcaSe, or, more directly, through
an overhead camshaft. These differ
ences are easily understood by the av-
erage car owner, especially when he
sees parts in actual operation on q
cutaway chassis.