Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-25
THREE BENEFITS
POSSIBLE AT SHOW
Entertainment, Instruction
and Dividends Await
Visitor.

disnlays of the industry's handiwork
derive all three forms of profit, and
more besides. But they are in the mi
nor1ty. Most motorists overlook an an
nual opportunity to save money by
finding out what's what in motors.
Just as the manufacturer goes to the
national shows to find out what MS
competitors are doing, just as the dealer
bases his annual commitments on what
he sees and hears at the shows so the
car buyer can read between the body
lines and guide his business OF car own
ership accordingly. 1t is business
show for him quite as much as an an
nual pilgrimage to pay homage to the
genius that fashions the Nations au-
tomotive eQuipage.
Profit From Shows.
Motorists can profit from the shows
whether or not they intend purchasing
a new car this year. Every automobllist
is constantly preparing for a purchase
and is lust as steadily in process of SELL
ing his present machine. He should
know what trends are in evidence and
be able to pick the purely temporary
feature of the mode from those develop
ments which forecast more significant
changes in automobiles in general. The
shows offer him an especially conven-
cars appear at the shows which cannot
be seen in the show room. The oppor-
tunity of making direct comparison be-
tween various makes and models is an
exclusive advantage of any motor car
exhibition.
Which cars are most admired at the
shows? Which cars are selling best2
What are the outstanding topics Of con-
Versation?
These are but few of the questions
the observing visitor asks himself. The
answers are of definite value to him.
If certain car seems to be enjoying
unusual popularity he is quick to note
whether this is simply popular admira-
ton or genuine desire on the part OF
the public to acquire ownership. He
will watch other visitors to see how
they react when statesmen suggest
demonstration or perhaps an actual
purchase. Will they hedge and explain
that they are not ready to buv? Is their
enthusiasm for the car or its special
mechanical feature genuine?
OF Greater Importance.
OF possibly greater Importance is the
question as to whether these other viSi-
tors to the exhibition really appreciate
the worth Of the car or its special fea-
lures. Some of the most universal fea-
lures on cars today. such as four-wheel
chromium plating, to mention but
few, we're difficult to sell when first
offered. The public was skeptical. 1t
usually Is.
II the public admires a new car but
won't talk business it does not neces-
sarily mean that the manufacturer has
not been able to offer advantages that
truly touch the purse strings The idea
may need a considerable amount of
promotion and may. If successful be an
advance notice OF What is going to be
all the rage in 1882. Is the manufac-
turer a powerful enough factor in the
industry to force change of this sort?
In trying to look ahead through the
array of new features it is always well
to look back little over previous au-
tomobile shows. What happened to the
thousands Of developments that once
were hailed as prophetic of future
models? Any experienced motorist
would be led to a safe conclusion re-
garding present trends by recalling
He will quickly recall what companies
have reputation for being able to put
over their ideas and which have not.
1t will help him avoid being carried
away with ideas that are presented with
the help Of the shows glamour.
Particularly Significant.
Particularly significant are the de-
velopmentS that are coming in for a
second bid for public support. The
shrew visitor to the shows will give
these special attention, going on the
theory that success freou-ntly attends
the process of trying again. This is
clearly demonstrated by the success of
four-speed TIRE nsmissions on their Sec
ond trial. Another instance is the
present popularity of the muhi-cylinder
engine. There were many Fights and
twelves some years ago, and many of
them dropped out Of the picture be-
cause they were not aided by recent de-
velopments.
The IL or 16 cylinder engine that
would become a bundle of woes back
in 1910 can be an unqualified success
today because of light alloy pistons.
full pressure fabrication to every work
ing part, vastly improved carburetion
and valves that will resist warpage.
New methods Of cutting and treating
gears have made it possible to utilize
more complicated gear design without
giving the owner anything more to
worry about and offering him moreover
the advantag es Of greater performance
ability
In the accessory displays, whether in
separate booths or on the cars them
selves, the observing motorist will catch
many useful idea He cannot merely
A1lpFoNe his Ola car 50 rs 10 CDI' III m'he
service and pleasure from it. bnt a'so
70 make II more attractive IN t. in
diridusl or ccmpanv that will by il
when he GENES to trade in.
Strip a n"w model of it's chromiumed
tire rims. ! s large huh caps. is radi-
ator grille, its special lights. the metal
tire covers and the luggage equipmen:
on the rear and it has a bara, unin-
Viting appearance. Reverse the process
and the old car becomes more accept
able, often at surprisingly modest
cost. 1t may be no equal to the newer
cars which boast Of so many improve
Ynents of an inherent nature. but it will
trade in at a better figure. 1t will give
more satisfaction while 1t is still in the
original owners hands
Importance of Accessories.
Strip a new motor of all of its effi-
cheney devices. take off its booster
brakes, its spring covers, its improved
shock absorbers. the carburetor silencer
the sh'mmy srrestnrs and various of its
ether features. and any visitor viii hov We
fair idea Of thu increasing Impotence
Of accessories. There Is mpny an idea
On the new models worth adopting for
present use on the old car
II is we'll to try TO see a show as a
whole rather than to concentrate toe
much on individual exhibits. Here one
will find the more significant trends
When three or four important makers
adopt an idea it is very likely TO catch
on. Criticism should, however, not be
made Of those makers who cling II
what seem to be old-fashioned ideas
Automobiles are a compromise
BY seeing the show through the right
kind of glasses any motorist can tel
whether he should trade in immedi.
stely. Perhaps he will discover that hi.
cid car is going to depreciate rPdicall'
in the next few months. II so. he viii