Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-13
SPEED, ITHSAFETYAN COMFORT
MOTIF OF NEW YORK AUTO SHOW
Seventeen Models With Engines Developing
100 Horsepower or Over Offered
by Industry. !

Step on It, but safely. comfortably
and economically.
That Is the message the Twenty
ninth National Automobile Show at
New York. broadcast to %, 000, 900 mo-
florists for 1929. The motor world has
set out to make speed practical task
that has called for drastic redesign of
every important unit Of the engine and
chassis.
Sustained speed calls for abundance
of power, and to meet this demand the
industry has offered II chassis models
with engines developing 100 horsepower
or more. Safe speed calls for dead
accuracy in steering and stability under
all road conditions, many manufactur-
ers therefore featuring shimmy-proot
steering and improved spring control.
All-weather speed neceSSitates water
proof braking systems and greater visi-
bility, q requirement that has been met
by inclosed, internal expanding four
wheel brakes and the steel or steel
wood body.
Speed Stressed ut Show.
Speed was stressed to such a point
at the New York show it definitely al
tered the outward appearance OF cars.
Hoods were longer, not only on the
C1E1kt ICW OIL alSAAb CLHA4tS Ruo ~ q HUH
Der of the skies as well. Bodies are
hung still lower on several cars to pre-
vent SidesWay, while one of the new
models revealed hood louvreS extended
to the sides of the coWl-a suggestion
of provision for extra ventilation for
high-speed driving. Ten chassis models
at the show were rated at 125 horse
power or more, not counting one of the
foreign cars Of German make that
rates 140 horsepower when the super
charger is operated.
That this is to be q year of forward
marching was graphically demonstrated
by h offering of a companion car to
a high-grade make equipped with a de-
vice to prevent rolling backward on
hills. Those OF q mechanical turn of
mind will be interested to know that
this long-awaited safety device fits be-
tween the transmission and the pro-
peller shaft brake, acting as an auto
matte brake on the drive line to prevent
backing except when the driver Is in
reverse gear and desires rearward mo-
ton.
Although the widely anticipated
front-wheel drive car was not ready in
time for the annual alternative event
at the Grand Central Palace two
brand-new makes and a third of long
standing Joined two other makes al
ready in the field with four-Speed trans
missions. Internal gears were found
in the four-speed gear sets, as well as
In the new transmission of a three
speed car, a development which offers
speedy shifting, as in the case OF the
synchronized meshing of gears used OF
two other leading makes.
Choke Sets Throttle.
One manufacturer has equipped his
1929 models with a choke that auto
matically sets the throttle just right for
an efficient and speedy start. Another
arrangement found on q leading line
provides q means Of stopping the en-
trance Of raw gasoline into the cylin-
ders the instant the engine starts.
The automobile public came close to
seeing a two-speed selective gear trans
mission at the show when an eStab-
lished maker offered a three-speed
transmission with two highs, the lower
of which al be used for starting.
Fifty-five miles an hour in the lower
Of the two high gears Is claimed. A
strictly low gear is retained, but Is in
tended for use only in emergencies.
BY using these top" highs, and as
a result of the high rear axle ratios
that are provided on direct drive, the
motorist will be able to run faster on