Evening Star Newspaper, October 31, 1937, Page 93

ROALSLAGBEHIND AUTOS N SHFEY Highways Wil Be Even| Worse When Crowded With Newly-Bought Cars. BY CHARLES M. UPHAM, Engineer Director. American Road Builders' Association Built-in added safety is the most importaht feature of the twenty-two 1938 automobile models that will be displayed at the Eighteenth Annual Automobile Show of Washington. Pactory previews stressed the safety factor and the new creations of the sutomotive industry do not disap- point in this respect. The majority of the cars on exhibit have hy- draulic brakes. Steering systems have been revised to provide safer driving. The banjo-shaped steering wheel has supplanted the older type, eliminating the possibility of tiring vibration reaching the hands and arms of the driver. A eon- siderable number | ways is 25 years behind the road needs! flush with the floor so that it cannot ! in generator charging capacity takes of the new cars| have a novel rear | spring suspension | that provides added comfort. Some are equip- | ped with a new| safety arm ad-| justment that| prevents the mis- alignment of wheels. Many of the new cars will befound to be completely rede- signed. They are bigger and roomier. They are safer automobiles. But what of the highways over which these 1938 streamlined models are expected to travel in safety at the prevailing rate of speed? Are Ihpy‘ big and roomy; are they safe? They are not! The majority of the roads in use today were built a quarter of.| 8 century ago when the automobile | was still being called the ‘“horseless | carriage.” These roads are veritable | death traps. They have not had | safety engineered into them as it has | been constructed into the new model | automobiles. They are already over-| loaded with the 28,000,000 motor ve- | hicles that are presently traveling the roads of the Nation. Every mile of these antiquated highways you drive | is packed with such hazards to your| life as limited visibility, curves that are too sharp, hills that are too steep, | hollows that are too deep, too many | il Mr. Upham. grade crossings, slippery surfaces and, | worst of all, roads that are too nar- Tow to accommodate today's trebled traffic. | The automobile industry is pushing | Power is rated for both engines at| for its biggest production year, with the possible exception of 1929. Indus- try experts predict the output of 5,000,000 motor vehicle units by the end of 1937. These same experts go | further by saying that the present Yyear can easily become the best year &ince the beginning of the mass pro- duction of motor cars. But where are we going to put them? We have had no mass pro- duction of roads. Our highway con- struction has not kept pace with the building of motor cars. With few exceptions the Nation's roads have not been built to safely carry today's greatly increased and speeded-up traf- fic. Imagine the hazards of tomor- row's highways when the majority of | the cars produced in 1937 are added | to those already on the road, if imme- | diate steps are not taken to modernize our antiquated highways. | The safety features of the new au-| tomobiles cannot do the job alone, nor | can safe driving, nor the combina- | tion of both, without the benefit of 8 safe highway over which to drive. | The safety education groups have done their part; the automotive in-| dustry has done its part, as exempli- fled by the added safety features of | the twenty-two 1938 models at the eighteenth annual automobile show | luminate the inside of the extra large | tery under the hood at the left side here, but the building of safe high- | FINE CARS FOR 30 YEARS.. NOW THE FINEST FOR 1938 It has been the Hupp tradition to build quality auto- mobiles—fine cars only—since 1908. Now, for 1938, Hupp presents new cars that are roomier, more beauti- ful and more luxurious than any of their distinguished predecessors. These truly distinctive cars are designed and built for motorists who expect to keep them for a long time. If you are going to buy a new car—first drive the 1938 Hupmobilei@_\vil}‘find the price is also in the Hupp tradition. ' STEP up WITH HUPP! | develops | the m Careful providing conveniences for those who | ! will tour in these new | the Jubilee Plymouth appears | grille further forward. The above models made a hit in the dads when there were no used-car sales to worry dealers. THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, Early Washington Exhibit D. T, OCTOBER_ 31, per cent decreaze in weight. Ot | chassis features include the Stude- baker Planar front-wheel suspension, the new dual steering arm controls and the hill holder, which is standard on the President and Commander, optional on the six. The new vacuum transmission con- trol greatly simplifies the business o shifting gears, the short shift lever now being located on an exteasion from the instrument panel. Power for shifting is derived from the exhaust manifold, & vacuum booster being used. The driver merely moves the minia~ ture shift lever into the desired com- binations while the booster does the actual work. Show visitors will note chiefly the fact that the entirely new all-steel bodies are 6 inches wider at the point of maximum width than their prede- cessors. Fender well headlight lenses match the design of the radiator grille, and there are no side louvres. WILLYS ‘That Willys has staged a successful comeback, placing itself in an en- tirely new price bracket for American consumption, is demonstrated by the fact that for 1938 the line has been increased not only by three passenger of today. Additional funds for suffi- cient highway construction should be provided by legislation, and precau- tions should be taken to eliminate the spending of that money on non-high- way projects. We need more good and safe roads, | to protect our lives and | not only the lives of others, which is by far most important, but to protect the investment that many of us will make when we buy our copies of the 1938 automobile models that are on display at the automobile show. Russell (Continued From Page Ten.) of a reserve tank to render the vacuum power braking system efficient under all conditions. Vacuum power is used to assist the driver in applyin the brakes, but with the storage tank added to the svstem the brakes operate with full power regardless of whether the engine is running or idle. Another mechanical feature stressed on Pierce is the automatic overd improved in many details so that it cuts in at speeds between 40 and 45 miles per hour. By reducing the ratio from 458 to 1 to 3.20 to 1 marked | economies are effected with Pierce's | compression | powerful engines. The ratio for the 8 and the 12s is 6.4 to 1. The engine of the group of cars mounted on the chassis of the eight 150 horsepower placement of 383 cubic inches. The larger Pierces are powered by a Vee- | 12 which develops 185 horsepower with | a displacement of 462 cubic inches. 3400 r. p. m. The eight-cylinder group, known as odel 1801, gives buyers a choice of two wheel bases, 139 and 144 inches. The first of the 12-cylinder series, the 1802 can be had in either of the wheel bases offered with the eight, but the second of the 12s, known as the 1903, | is available on a chassis of 147 inches. attention has been paid to Pierce-Arrow: especially the luggage space which is unusually roomy. PLYMOUTH Climaxing 10 years of development in 11 body types for 1938. The new car does mnot depart radically from general 1937 form, but it is replete with detailed improvements ‘and fea- tures which give it new appeal. While the wheelbase remains at 112 inches | the entire car is given a longer ap- reason of moving the There is new detailed treatment of a number of pearance by external parts of the car which adds to its beauty. Welcome is the license plate light which can be used to il- The luggage compartment. lock is ive, | with g dis-| its | scratch good luggage. Plymouth’s engine is now exposed | by lifting either side of the top of | the hood. Everything needed in the way of engine accessories is provided. The generator now can be set up “’i a charging rate of 3) amperes. While the engine output stands at 82 horse- power at 3.600 r.p.m. a change in cam construction and timing results in | marked increase in- getaway. The | economy group is continued for those | who want maximum gas mileage, For 1938 Plymouth engineers are | using a still more rigid frame. The bumper mountings are new. There are changes in the clutch. Wheels have improved special slots for mud hooks. Inside the car the most no- ticeable change is the pistol-grip park- ing brake handle whick is below the dash at the right of the driver, It | can be operated in an emergency by he front seat passenger. Buttons are used for the instrument board con- trols, but they are recessed as a pro- tection to passengers in event of a collisionor emergency stop. Safety is | considered in a number of other de- | tails. The front seat now comes up | slightly when pulled forward. | PONTIAC Stressing safety, Pontiac appears li“ restyled 1938 form as both a six and an eight in eight-body styles, including that increasingly popular type—the convertible phaeton. The six has a wheelbase of 117 inches, while the eight is 122 inches.' Out- puts of the engines are 8% and 100 horsepower, respectively, with piston displacements of 223 and 249 cubic | inches. On the new bodies the “silver streak” serves as the focal point for a new hood side grill. Power is suggested by the heavier horizontal | grill design. Pontiac’s new transmission, op- tional on both six and eight, is a remote control arrangement, manual- ly and mechanically operated. It is known as the “safety shift gear con- | trol” because the driver has nothing new to learn and the control is direct and positive. The short shift lever swings about a shaft held parallel | with the steering column, thus nesting under the wheel and out of the way of passengers. Shift positions are the same as if the conventional shift lever | were bent over to the right or the | gearbox set on its right side. Interiors of the new Pontiacs show many new teuches in colors and their combinations. This has been ingen- | iously combined with safety, best illus- trated by the roll on the front seat’s | back, which is a cushion to protect | any passenger who might be hurled | forvard during an emergency stop. | Through use of a “clutch helper spring” the driver finds it easier to | disengage the clutch. Purther con- | venience is had by placing the bat- | of the engine. A 30 per cent step up cars but a series of trucks. The new | passenger cars include the economy | and de luxe coupes and a custom se- dan. All bodies continue the typical Willys fullness of contour, affording wider seating space. The over-all | length of the car is 178 inches. Up to 35 miles to the gallon of gaso- line is again offered as an attraction of the 1938 Willys. This is partly due o 1 ek sadl SVeing | to the use of the Tillotson down-draft | ng, unusually s! is | carburetor.. 3¢t is interesth | with new features, Studebaker bld.\‘:g:‘?u::‘?\l)m: 0? the “K}:t“:.;:;h,:ozef for 1938 popularity with three lines— | the Willys, which helps to account for | the six, the Commander and the | is exceptional economy, there is a 301 President. Both the smaller cars have | per cent greater strength factor for | practically identical major specifica- | axles, frames, steering gear and other | tions, built on & 116.5-inch wheelbase | major parts than is usually consid- | and powered by an engine of 226-cubic | ered adequate for a car in its weight inch displacement, developing 90 | classification. These cars are offered | :Xl.?‘:«f’):\rfiba’?;rp;‘:’ldx;l:;:: "‘:’::‘)’1“:2 | with tire size of 16x5.50, again offering | . = S, enerous oversize. | engine of 110-horsepower output. | . The ultra-modern bodies on the care of the grea current load, and ventilating slots are found in the | wheels to provide 80 per cent more air for rapid brake-drum cooling. STUDEBAKER | There are four body models in each | willys chassis are said to be a fortress of the three lines, one of which is & | of safety. They are all steel. Body | convertible four-door sedan. | panels are welded together to provide | Studebaker engineers were not sat- [greater strength. All models are isfied with the X-member of the | equipped with double-action, airplane- modern autemobile frame, because it | type shock absorbers. Careful bal- did not match the actual lines of [ance and a low center of gravity twisting force. Hence by making the | gives the cars better roadability. An X-member equal the lines of force the | interior note of interest i the use of 1938 Studebaker frame shows a 70 per | upholstery panels set into a metal cent increase over its predecessor in | frame, thus preventing dirt and scuff- | over-all tortional rigidity with an 18'ing | common to prac- | country. | cities have spent 1937—PART SIX. OFFICIALS PLAN TRI0 OF ROAD J0BS Redesign of Three Circles and Georgetown Express Highway Studied. By HERBERT C. WHITEHURST, District Highway Director. ‘Three main factors enter into high- way safety—the highway, the human element (driver and pedestrian), and the vehicle. The three factors of this triangle must be brought into proper relationship if we are to provide safety and the free flow of traffic for our highways. The highway side of this| triangle, including traffic appurten- | ances and special facilities can and | should be solved through sound engi- | neering with the aid of adequate fi- nancing. The human element factor must be reached through education and enforcement, the vehicle through inspection with control of its use. The existing highway and traffic situation in the District of Co- lumbia is not un- tically all other large cities of the Several millions of dol- lars annually to improve the highway side of the safety tri- angle. Washing- ton is unusually fortunate, in that, in nearly all Mr. Whitehurst, cases additional right of way and public space is avail- able for roadway widening and for | the construction of necessary and modern traffic facilities without ac-| quiring additional land as is neces-| sary in nearly all of the other metro- | politan cities. The 1938 Appropriation Act directs and provides the necessary funds for preparation of studies, preliminary plans and estimates for: | 1. A redesign and changes in Du- | pont, Scott and Thomas Circles, to | meet present and future traffic and | transportation needs | 2. A through or by-pass express high- way in Georgetown with grade separa- tan structures and connection to Key Bridge. 3. A highway, including necessary bridges across Rock Creek Park, to provide a direct connection between Sixteenth street and Connecticut ave- nue. The first two of the above special projects have been given a tenta- tive place in the program herein submitted within the limits of funds considered available. All are under intensive study by engineers of the street and bridge divisions and it is expected preliminary plans and esti- mates will be available for submis- sion to Congress this winter. Studies and plans have progressed sufficiently far, however, to warrant the inclusion in the 1939 estimates of an item au- thorizing the changes at the three cir- cles. Work in connection with the three circles was selected ahead of the Georgetown express by-pass for two reasons: (1) That plans, etc, had progressed sufficiently to draw def- inite conclusion warranting the con- struction proposed. In the case of the Georgetown express by-pass def- inite conclusions and estimates of cost have not been completed. (2) The funds available for major construc- tion items will not permit carrying on the construction of the Pennsyl- vania Avenue Bridge and the George- town express by-pass at the same time, throughout a three-year period. The combined projects are of such magnitude that an allotment of ap- proximately $1,000,000 for each year would be necessary. The preliminary plans for the three circles contemplated at Dupont Cir- cle, an under-pass for street cars or sucet cars and vehicie. in the line of onnccticut avenue, together with surface rearrangement to facilitate the movement of surface traffic. At Thomas Circle similar changes are proposed. At Scott Circle, surface re- arrangement, involving the construc- tion of directional islands, enlarge- ment of entering roadway, ete., are planned. The total estimated cost of | the three projects is $800,000, not in- | cluding the relocation and reconstruc- tion of street railway tracks. GET REGULAR SERVICES Good service suggests the virtue in regularity. Many accidents are a di- rect result of getting off one’s sched- ule. Not many drivers realize that ‘their succe in largely due to keeping within the con- fines of their more familiar driving experiences. Note how they promptly get into trouble when they go travel- ing and find themselves facing the less familiar experiences of higher road speed and strange traffic. WERE PROUD T0 PRESENT OUR GREAT NEW CAR £ G—-11 PERIL OF BLOWOUT MAY BE MINIMIZED Motorists Warned Not to Apply Brakes or Release Clutch After Tire Goes. Here's how to avoid serious cousee quences from tire blow-outs, according to the Keystone Automobile Club. Don't slam on the brakes, Don't release the clutch. “The natural tendency of the driver when a blow-out occurs is to press hard on the brakes,” say a Keystone safety bulletin. “Driving experts agree this is the wrong thing to do. Instead the driver should concentrate his attention on keeping the car on the road and allowing the decelerated motor to act as a brake in slowing down the vehicle. “Quick application of the brakes may result in the car rturning. Releasing the clutch may throw the car into & skid. The big job of the driver when a blow-out occurs is to steer. If he can keep the car on the road and prevent skidding he will avoid the horrors which often are the accompaniment to blow-out accidents.” It is further stated, for the benefit avoiding trouble is | Your DeSoto Dealer Invites you to See and Drive this Smart New Car for 1938 ing...six-passenger interior...draft- proof ventilation...improved 93-h.p. “Economy Engine’ and shifting...a really big automobile! E AMONG THE FIRST to see this’ B great new De Soto...to drive it... to own it! This year's De Soto gives you big- car luxury at small-car cost. It’s more beautiful, more luxurious, better per- forming, easier to handle! Here’s why De Soto means plus- value: bigger, genuine hydraulic brakes...Safety-steel body...“cush- ioned” ride...complete sound-proof- The price? Now LER CORPORATION, 7 |T'S AMERICA'S SMARTEST LOW-PRICED CAR "NO WONDER YOU PICKED DESOTO, JANE. IT'S A above the lowest, and costs no more to run than most small cars! Easy to own, too. Ask about the Official Com- mercial Credit Company Finance Plan. D& Sovo Division oF CHRys- ’...easier steering just a few: dollars Detroit, Mich. of drivers who never had experience | with blow-outs, that a car always | swerves in the direction of the blow= out; that is if a left tire affected, | the swerve will be to th: | versa. Another good thi | to remember is to s of the skid; tha if the skid is to the left, steer. that way. The car cannot be brought out of a skid by turning in the opposite direction. WHEEL ‘SHIMMY’ CAUSES | Excessive Caster of Front Axle or drive: he direction Frequently Reason for Defect. Locating causes of front wheel shimmy is a difficult enough job with- out complicating it with failure to differentiate between low and high speed shimmy. If the front wheels | go into their dance at speeds below |30 miles per hour the chances are that this is due to just one condi- tion—excessive caster of the front axle Above this speed a number of other conditions enter the picture. These | include unbalanced wheels, low- | pressure, too flexible springs and f | shock absorbers. It requires a cer tain amount of speed to bring tr unbalanced forces into action, SEE YOUR DESOTO DEALER QUICK FACTS: I. “Lightning-fast’ pick-up...Improved 93-h.p.‘‘Economy Engine.” 2. Patented Floating Power engine mountings. 3. Longer wheelbase «..119inches. 4. Biggerhydraulic brakes. 5. Safety-steel body rubber-mounted on a bigger, stronger frame. 6. Luxurious Safety Interior. 7. *“Cushioned’’ ride. o) BEAUTY!" FORA GREAT CAR, FINE SERVICE o4 SQUARE DEAL DESOTO AND PLYMOUTHN DEALERS EVANS-FPALMER, INC—14th and L Sts—National 3474 . INC. INDIAN HEAD MOTOR CORP. CK_BOMBARD, INC. Pitda ErarNaw. MOT R ass 1519 Wisconsin Ave. WE. 0047 Ave. N.E. AT. 6633 GLADNEY MOTORS CASHELL MOTOR CO. 1301 King St.. Alex.. Va. ALex. 3180 Rockville, Md. Rocl LOY'S SERVICE STATION THURMONT GARAGE Winchester. Ve Win. 1573-3 Thurmont, Md. Thur. WEST END GARAGE WATKINS MOTOR €O, Upperville, Va. Upp Fairfax, Va. HUPMOBILE Major Features for 1938 AllSteelBodies. "YES, AND IT'S NOW PRICED JUST ABOVE THE LOWESTI" Super-Width, Safety Doors. Smooth, Economical, LHead En- sines; Aluminum-Alloy Pistons. Non-Glare, “Vee” Windshield. Double-Action Hydraulic Brakes. Control-Air Ventilation. Safety Glass All Around. Synchro-Silent Transmission. Full-Pressure Lubrication. Crankcase Ventilation. : Larger Luggage Compartment. Hydraulic Shock Absorbers. Three-Passenges. Width Front s.-n:”}{gnldlel wide, othing Silence; Scientific Socumiisiag; Full Tasdlation. MAJOR BOWES’ Amateur Hour— Columbia network, Thursdays, 9 to 10 P.M.,E.S.T. S1X58 and XIGETS ' Mitchell’s Motors, Inc., Distributors 1507 14th St. N.W. DE. 4662 SMITH & BUTLER, 1617 O St. N.W. SEMMES SALES, INC. 4121 13th St. . ADAMS 8508 HAMMOND MOTOR CO. 7300 Old Georretown Rdb, Bethesda, Md. Wi 6550, ROBEY MOTOR COMPANY Rosslyn, Va " GARAG! Waldorf, Md. MID_ CITY AUTO CO. 1711 14¢h St. N.W. DE. 5050 INCHES MOTOR CO. 921 Thayer Ave., §. S., Md. Shep. 4448 MYERSVILLE MOTOR CO. Myersill : Myers 38 0YAL MOTOR CO. Front Roval. Va. Frt. Bov. 923 HOWLAND MOTOR COMPANY Laurel, Md. RUSSELL MOTOR CO. 1 Baitimore Bivd. or. Md. Gr. 2168. SERVICE STATION Hyattsville, Md. Hyatts. SCHNEIDER MOTOR CO. Falls Chureh, Va Fal. Chu. 178 k. 183 i1 Colmar Ma 02 31