Evening star., 1934-01-28

automobiles more than justified tt
came to see them. More than
ever exhibited, they demonstrated
the most appealing creation of tn
finest expression Of industrial art.
Notables See Display
At Pre-View Matinee
>The automobile show formally was
opened last night at 7:30 O'Clock, after
pre-view glimpse of the new models
had been given in the afternoon by the
sponsoring organization, the Washing
ton Automotive Trade Association. to
leaders in the Official and social life of
the Capital.
1t will reponed at 3 this afternoon
continuing until 10 pm. Daily show
hours for this week will be from 1890
to 1890 pm. R. J. Murphy again is
manager of the show, assisted by the
executive officers Of the w. A. r. A.,
Joseph B. Trew, president and c. H.
Warrington and Oscar Coolican, vice
presidents.
A new cast of characters tells .
dramatic new story in the fourteenth
annual automobile show. Last years
exhibition reflected the tentative, hesi-
tant, cautious mood of the motor in
dustry and so did that of the year be-
fore. The 1884 display fairly shouts
the positive conviction Of the worlds
greatest manufacturing enterprise that
the corner has been turned and that
the skies are clearing
The display this year is q series of
never-ending surprises. Outstanding
among them, of course are those pro-
vided by the cars themselves. All cars
are new this year. Features by which
certain makes have been identified for
years. hallmarks so to speak, have been
abandoned on an unparalleled scale
The industry more than makes good its
claim to have cast aside the lettering
motorists are set to scanning name
plates as their progenitors did in the
days when the carriage first went
horseless.
Twenty-Five makes of passenger car
are on display at the Auditorium. all of
them marked by svelte and appealing
newneSs
New Body Designs Call
For Brighter Colors.
Streamlining of bodies has brought
color back into the automotive picture
and somber note impaired to the trafic
stream by the black cars of the past
few years is destined soon to give way
to tones. less garish. but no less varied
than those OF few years ago when
the country was climbing to the crest of
its prosperity.
1t is not only in the character of
his product that the individual manu-
facturer offers something different. The
show has many a surprise exhibit which
tells the story Of venture on the part
OF its sponsor to find new market.
The nearest to mass movement of
this character is that which has carried
several manufacturers into what Is
known as the low-medium price class.
In this group. beginning at approx
mately $3.50. one will find some of the
Oldest names in the industry together
which one new one. the single instance
OF a new name added to the passenger
car list this year.
The low-price field remains substan-
TALLY as 1t was last year. an expression
OF respect perhaps for the competitive
genius OF those who occupy 1t, but one
which Is destined to be modified later
In the year when one of the older COM
panies introduces a new popular priced
series that will bear another than the
company name.
Lower Price Cars Show
Big Gain In Stature.
It is among cars of this class that the
most significant upward movement Of
prices has occurred, but the large di-
mensions Of what used to be known as
the small car" and the completeness
of its detail will readily identify the
reason for the increases. In contrast
with its erstwhile dimensions Of 40 to
so horsepower and a wheelbase of 103
or 104 inches, the small car has grown
until it measures 112 inches in wheel
base and its engine delivers approxi-
mately 80 horsepower.
But the challenge represented in
these figures relative to the lowest cost
products has been completely met by
manufacturers in other price groups.
They. too, have gone in for cars of
larger stature with engine powers
running to $50 and 1885, with II cylin-
ders instead Of eight in many cases and
16 cylinders in one instance. In the
horsepower, which wheelbases, In the
case Of cars in these two groups, rang
ing from 1875 to 145 inches.
Dollar Value Greatest
In Industry History.
Whatever its price. the motor enthu-
siast may be sure that his prospective
purchase represents the maximum dol
lar value ever set before him.
This years show Is replete with cut
away chassis and action exhibits. and
well 1t may be In view Of the startling
departures in design. In these dis
plays particular emphasis Is put upon
graphic explanation Of that out
standing mechanical development, In
dependent springing. It takes on q
precise and definite meaning when the
showgoer sees it in this glise, Is do
many other engineering novelties, such
as center steering syncromesh and con-
stant mesh Transmission gearing, body
stabilizing and a host of others.
It is obvious In the character Of the
various displays that the industry not
only has embarked upon q new design
venture. but has correlated It with an
educational campaign which proposes
to make its every detail comprehensive
to its followers.
Open Body Types PdSist
Despite New TrendA
None Of the wide array of standard
body styles II missing from the display
and along with thsm appseS many q