Evening Star Newspaper, August 5, 1923, Page 57

"John Smith and His Car BY FREDERICK C. RUSSELL John Smith is a character whom every motorist should welcome. He is not selfish; rather he is a motoring martyr, a chap willing and glad to have exploited, in an interesting way, his experiences for the benefit of the other 10,000,000 or more members of the motor clan. No. 5. The Car Is Delivered. Smith's first thought upon seeing the car waiting for him in the dealer's service station was to jump in and drive o, “I guess evervthing is all right” he called to me. re doing a lot of guessing| 1 retorted. “But if you want to he a model owner you've got to get down to facts. There are any num- ber of things you should do before even thinking of taking the car up to vour own garage.” Smith was puzzled “and disap- pointed. He had already planned a ride up the river drive. He did net &ee as there was anything else to do by way of preparation. He had paid for the car in cash, received his re- ceipt and guarantce and had made “Let's see how she |} | being held responsible for something | you ‘might do. Furthermore, it's a good idea that you haven't got your | own plates, because making a note of | the serial number of the car is right in line with something which is very o. " I sald, pointing to the plate on the base of the en- Write down the number as ee it and then we'll compare mpared our figures and found that we had each taken the number correctly. There could be no mistake about it. Next we took the serial number of the car from the plate on the front | of the frame. After this. I raised the floor boards in the front. This gave a view of the number stamped on the cover of the transmission. While at this part of the car we took the num- ber of the battery. Then we took the numbers of the Inen(m(or and the electric motor. And finally we made a note of the numbers of all the tires, including ®ure that the car had water, gas|the spare. and oil “To begin with.” 1 said, “wouldn’t 1t be a good idea to have a license “T had forgotten about that.” Smith | a8 admitted. “But I guess the dealer will lend me his plates for a fe days.” | When he turned to the car again he was surprised to see one of the mechanics in the act of removing the plates. Smith Learns Something. the idea of all this?" ith asked, when we had finished. The state highway department only for the serial or motor numbers, ther with the make, model and information department.” | said. is for your benefit in case the car it’s a little trouble of these things, but precaution that will cer- repay vou "Provided the car is stolen,” Smith good driver. be tempted 't 1dn’t it be stolen dealer is 1 will leave It unguarded (A 7 Wanted—-Used Cars During the past few months sales in our used-car department have been unusually large—"the demand has been greater than the supply.” We are now in a position to accept many more used cars. Why not bring your car in for appraisal on a DURANT “Just a Real Good Car” Open Evenings and Sunday Until 9 P.M. HARPER MOTOR CO. 1128 Connecticut Avenue Franklin 4307 L2 L AT A T L L L oo ot ‘Another Duesenberg Vlctory 2 % DUES& NBERG Duesenberg Stock Touring Car Wins Its Class Event AND Captures Third Sweepstakes Los Angeles-Yosemite Valley Economy Run Establishing Economy Record 22,50 Miles Per Gallon of Gasoline The road course of this famous California 360-mile economy run is through mountainous and desert country, and is recognized as one of the world’s greatest tests for economy and efficiency. The Duesenberg had a clean oil score and consumed but one pint of extra water during the long, hard trip. Frederick Wagner, the famous automobile race starter and motor editor, writing in the Los Angeles Express, said: “The Duesenberg, with its eight-cylinders-in-line engine, romped home a winner in its class, a score of which the driver, A. J. Shafer, might well feel proud. The big car rolled into the valley, having used but 16 gallons of gasoline, averaging 2250 mflcs_rger gallon.” above is the reason why we have been saying in all of S R, oy Wl e e o on of gasoline operation. The wortd, Dat Steayd The sstecn erg patented bydraulic brakes on all four wheels cqual- ize and :djnst themselves and prevent skidding in dangerous places. HARRY M. HORTON, Inc. 1503 Connecticut Avenue Telephone North 6732 . e S e Tactost Tactin THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, in dozens of places at all hours of the day and night. So long as there is crime, so long as people will buy used cars without looking into their history, so long as there is a way to beat the law, cars will be stolen. Your Gar is just as attractive as any otner.” Smith wanted to know why I both- ered taking the numbers for, anyway, as a thief would immediately change them all. “A professional thief would,” T ad- mitted. “But an amateur wouldn't. Therefore, it is a good plan to take the numbers of the various units and also to put secret identification marks on different parts of your car. For instance, we will slip your visiting card up here in the upholstery under the seat cushions, and on the inside of the distributor head 1 will scratch your initials. All of this may be valuable to you later. Make a note of where you put the marks, but let me see you do it, as I may be needed as a witness.” Is there anything else?” Smith ask- when we had finished this. “The most important thing of I replied. “You haven't bought your insurance. I'll take you over and introduce you to Jones, the agen Next weekAlnaurlng the Car. (Copyright, 1923, by e Ullma Featare — EASY WAY TO0 CLEAN TIRE. A simple way to clean off a tire, removing stones from the tread de- sign as well, is to jack up the car, place a pan filled with water or gaso- line beneath the wheel, then turn it Step on Starter If Car Is Caught On Rail Tracks Few motorists realize what a source of emergency power the electric starter-motor can be. When caught on railroad tracks with a stalled motor the thing to do is to place the gears in “sec- ond” and step on the starter. The car will move off the tracks slowly but surely, and in half the time that would be required to crank the motor. Some starters make so that a train couldn't proaching whu: the elng crank A practice o relyin: ‘on the starter-motor, of course, is a good way to get acquainted with the re- pair shops, but it is assumed that stalling on railroad crossings is not a habit. Many abuses of the car are justifiable in an emerg- ency; the point is to know what ones can be relied upon as life- savers, NEW HUPMOBILE HAS LONGER WHEELBASE Many Other Conservative Changes D. C, AUGUST 5, of weight are some of the features of thahnu Hupmobile, announced’ last weeping _and vet conservative changes in each body model have been’| made. Inspection of the instrument board ravea.\efl improveme::t in con-: venience and appearance. There aleo & new two-plste clutch, which lu rd exceptionally easy op-: erttlon nnfl silent gear changes at any sp Gear shift and brake levers have been moved forward to provide: greater convenience, affording easier access to the drivers seat and giving more room throughout the front compartment. The new line is offered in the usual seven models, touring car, roadster, special -touring car, special roadst two-passenger coupe, four-passenger coupe and sedan — Eighty-five per cent of all rubber produced is used by the automotive industry. 1923—PART . 3 14th and R Sts. l | Made in Bodies of 1924 Models. Lengthened wheelbase. a raised radiator, extended front and rear springs, and a general redistribution slowly while scrubbing off.—Automo- line consumption _ for | motor vehicles | was 4,500,- 000, 000,000 in 19 STANDARD OF THE WORLD THE CADILLAC SEDAN Five Passenger W\ hether you sit at the controls or ride at ease among the yielding cushions, vou will not fail to be impressed by the thought that Cadillac designers have given to your comfort and by the care with which all the details have been exe- cuted. We are fortunate in having a limited number in stock available for immediate delivery. Open Evenings THE WASHINGTON CADILLAC COMPANY RUDOLPH JOSE, President 1138-1140 Comneeticnt Avenue Franklin 3900, 3901, 3902 T. W. Barrett, Associate Dealer, 24th and M Sts. West 2880 CADILLAC V-TYPE, EIGHT-CYLINDER ENGINE Don’t Ruin Your Battery How long has it been since you had your battery tested and refilled with water? Re- member, more batteries are ruined by abuse and neglect than by actual use. Careful attention to this detail will be the means of lengthening the life and service of your battery. Service Stations Bradburn Battery and Electrical Service 616 Pa. Ave. S.E. Lincoln 1430-J Modern Auto Supply 917 H St. N.E. Lincoln 3896 The John A. Wineberger Co.. lne. 3700 Georgia Ave. N.W. S.W. C:lr. 2d & Mass. Ave. N.W. anklln uz Smith’s Battery and Electric Co. 2119 18th St. N.W. North 9928 E. J. Penning 1740 M4th St. N.sh’. North 7998 rookland Garage n Ave, sseno Auto Supply Co. 81 H St. NW. Seaton 306 llllodeslm. Ave, N.W. e S . cims 700 7th St. s.w. s g, I “wn 106 14 €8 uw e AN STATION ™™ ™= Washington-Battery-Company 162123 L St. N.W. Main 180 1000 Michi; TUESDAY EVENING "BEST IN THE LONG RUN" SERVICE TIRE CO. G. W. Rundlett, Prop. 1336 14th St. N. W. Franklin 6751 Goodrich Silvertown CoroTirs 7 O'CLOCK Special This Week 35x4"2 Non-Skid $34.75 SN Y Rz Place Your Order Now For FGOrcl Father starts it—mother finds she can add a little —even the kiddies will contribute their pen- nies and in a surprisingly short time, the whole family is enjoying the pleasure of owning a Ford. Here is how you can doit. Bring the first $5.00 in to us. Enroll under the terms of the new, easy way to buy a Ford. Selectt:hemyou want. We will deposit your money in a local bank, at interest. Add /a little each week. Soon the payments, plus the interest paid by the bank will make ° the car yours. Forc Wechly Fomchasse Plars For Particulars See Any Authorized Wa.shington Ford Dealer n‘f‘M positories for payments made in connection mtln ;ord Wn&ly Pmb.c Plan. Seventh Street Savings Bank Tth and N Sts, N.W, O RN T BTN United States Savings Bank Cor. 14th and U Sts. N.W. DeApnrtmenkl Bank 1714 _Penn.. Ave. NW, Commercial National Bank 14th and G Sts. N.W, NI e @ 000 1ikIN Potomac Savings Bank Wis, Ave. and M St. N.W. East Washington Savings Bank 312 Penna.Ave. SE, -