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About The Oregon daily journal. (Portland, Or.) 1902-1972 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 21, 1917)
IMPROVEMENTS IN DETAIL RATHER THAN IN ESSENTIAL FEATURES J 1 BUILDERS BEND EFFORTS TO PERFECTION OF CAR New Body Lines Are Pleasing to the Eye Niceties of Finish and Items of Comfort Are Emphasized, MECHANICAL CHANGES IN 1917 CAR ARE VERY FEW ' Automobiles of greater and less de cree and all attractive are to be dis played at Portland's Kighth Anuual Automobile Show. To the man in the know the exhibit will be intensely In teresting but the appeal to the lay man is wide, Indeed, for ii thU age and day to be wise in motor lore is a conversational necessity wherever one may be. In running over the 1917 models the significant fact Is noted that few major changes have occurred. Per haps it was once the fashion among certain manufacturers to introduce radical alterations each succeeding sea son to tempt th owner who would be up-to-date. As a sales scheme, how ever, this practice has been generally dismissed and with the motor car per fection hastened by the intense com petition of recent years, the different lines have become more or less stand ardized In essential features. Details of finish and alterations making for comfort and attractiveness are common in the 1917 models" and the new trend in body lines is general. Having for the time being reached a reasonable perfection in motor anl other mechanical features, the builder in now striving to please the eye by turning out a product that is as stun ning in appearance as it is reliable in performance. What has been done by the different manufacturers is noted in the accompanying symposium. BRISCOE ADDS NEW MODEL Machine Styled R4-24 Supplements 4-38 and 8-38. During the past year Briscoe con tinued the 4-38 and the 8-3S models, and has added a single model styled the B4-24. This new model has a higher body, better streamline design nd tilted windshield. It is regularly supplied with four body styles, five passenger, four-passenger roadsters and the two-passenger runabout. This model has a four-cylinder mo tor with 3 3-18 bore and 5-lnch stroke. The cylinder block has the valves at the right and in the head. and uses Mayer carburetor, Splitdorf starting motor and generator and a Connecticut distributor. The, clutch is an inverted cone type, and the gearset is on the rear axle. All bodies are .mounted on a chassis having 105-Inch wneelbase. The aisle between the front seats of the four-passenger chummy roadster is equipped' with a vertically swinging door that Joins the two seats. This Briscoe feature does much -to add com fort to the occupants of the front neats. The Pacific KisselKar has prepared for the show some very attractive models of the Briscoe, both In the roaaster ana touring car. BUICK LJXE IS CONTINUED Models Brought Out Last Remain Unchanged. Jul Buick models are a continuation of the models brought out In July, and r uncnangea. At mat time Buick re turned to the four-cylinder car, bring' lng out the D-4-34 and D-4-35. The iormer is a two-passenger roadster at 6&u, the latter a five-passenger tour lng car at $665. This model follows characteristic Buick design, with valve in-head motor 3x4. Although of overhead-valve design, this motor has a detachable head built in unit with the valves, a design that makes, it possible to get at the valves when the head is removed, and at the same time gives a rree opening into the cylinders. The six-cylinder model mounts four body types, namely, two-passenger roaaster, four-passenger, cabriolet mree-passenger ana seven-passenger sedan. Practically no changes over the mid-season models are Incorporated in tne six-cylinder cars at this time. The chief feature is the new exhaust manifold. Instead of arching over the intake manifold, as formerly, it is low er and rests between the Intake man! fold and the cylinders. By this con struction the Intake air passes along the exhaust pipe, becomes heated, ani thus betters performance in winter driving. Among the other specifica tions are Marvel carburetor, Delco starting, lighting and ignition, cons clutch, three-speed gearset, Weston Mott floating axle and 115-inch wheel base. The Howard Automobile company is snowing the complete line in a most in forming fasMon, over in the northeast corner of the big drill hall. TH30 1017 CADILLAC EIGHT Cadillac Eight for This Season Presents Splendid Appearance. The Covey Metor Car Co. haa re ceived In time for the show the new Cadillac Eight, a car of wonderfully improved appearanse. The first ap peal is tne long, low hung body and the splendid finish in every detail. Certain improvements which are noted Include depth of frame increased to eight Inches maximum; wheelbase increased to 125 and '132 Inches: greater accessibility between cylinder blocks, where carburetor and motor are Installed; Increase of one-eighth of an Inch in size of valves; new belted type of piston, which Increases ertrength and STANDARDIZED . , , ppiryp?OAsftrbijL tears , . l! Qcq repveseixtawes d'nd m unoccupied -territory " " - still further reduces its weight, and improved clutch. Mouldings have been eliminated from around the doors and from the hood; the upholstery being deeper and covering material is plaited Instead of tufted; the spring suspension has been Improved; new design head and side lamps, following the outline of the La Mothe Cadillac coat of arms, are dis tinguishing features. With the new Cadillac is offered a greater range of body styles than ever Derore n in au. All cars have a wheelbase of 125 inches, excepting- the tnree seven-passenger Inclosed cars. which have a 132-inch wheelbase. Of tne open cars tnere are four stylea The seven-passenger touring car, with disappearing auxiliary seats, may be considered the standard of the ooen body type. This is supplemented by a four-passenger phaeton, a two-nas- senger roadster, with disappearing rumble seat for two. and a club road ster, seating four. There are two con vertible cars, that is, cars having per manent roots ana disappearing win dows, viz., a seven-passenger touring car ana a four-passenger victoria. The list of inclosed cars includes a four passenger coupe and a five-passenger Drougnam, each with a 125-inch wheel base ; a limousine, a landau let, and an imperial, each of seven-passenger ca pacity ana isz-incn wneelbase, com plete the line. The specifications include Delco elec tric starting and lighting, a feature pioneered by the Cadillac five years ago. Autometer, clock, power tire pump, full tool equipment, etc., are aiso inciuaea. DETAILS ARE EMPHASIZED Chalmers Concern Concentrates Ef forts on Manufacturing Problem. laKing their light six Dractlcallv unchanged from the 1918 to the 1917 season, the Chalmers company have been concentrating upon manufactur ing detail so as to produce the design in the Dest possible way. Practically the only alteration in design is the use of larger brakes, the idea be4nr to make the action lighter by reason of the greater diameter and, still more, to render the need for adjustment less frequent by reason of the larger rub Ding surfaces provided. An Interesting aiscovery maae with the small six Is that it has proved unexpectedly rood in resisting the development of squeaks or rattles either in he frame or springs. This is attributed to the straight rail frame adopted when de signing the new model a little over a year ago. The high speed ability of the engine has not led to any changes in the lubrication system, which is pressure to the main bearings and splash for the remainder of the en gine, and the success of the engine Is thought to be largely wrapped up with the aluminum pistons and the care fully balanced crankshaft. The latter is tested on a very simple machine of Chalmer's own devising and the stock product will make nearly 2000 r.p.m. without periodic vibration. This is without the use of counterweights, but with a straight, forged crank having curved webs. This gives very good results with the expense of counter weights, but It is considered probable that a method will soon be found of forging the shaft so that it is partially balanced without . adding- to its price. Of course, the lightness of the recip rocating parts and the stiffness of the but this has proven the perfect car for the Pacific Northwest The giant power, the smooth flexi bility, the roaid-clinging qualities at SIXTY-FIVE miles an hour, are incomparable. crankshaft are Important factor in keeping- down the bearing loads, but the Chalmers lubricating system is worthy of note, being the highest speed application of splash-pressure used on any American engine. The car Is on display In the booth of the H. L. Keats Auto company, state distributors. CHANDLER IS UNCHANGED Chassis Remains the Same Finish Is Excellent. The Chandler comes to the show With the same chassis which has been most enthusiastically received by the motoring public through all of 1916. There is not a single change In cha sis design and the efforts of the build ers have been devoted to improving the body where possible. In the booth of the Qerlinger Motor company will be seen some stunning models, one of particular charm be ing a four-passenger tourabout with whits wire wheels and Goodrich cord tires. A fine grade of finish and a body which clearly shows the earmarks of the best body builders of the east sup plement the mechanical detail of the car. NEW CHEVROLET HERE. Car Will Be Shown In Salesrooms On Upper Alder Street. The Chevrolet will not be on the show room floor, but special open and closed models are to be seen in the rooms of the Benjamin Boone corr- pany on upper Alder street. The car this year has all electric equipment, speedometer and demount able rims as standard equipment. In certain mechanical details, the m glneers have done some refining, bu all In all the car had been so success ful that it is very much the same as when the model four-ninety was originally brought out. The factory at Oakland, Ca.1., is now taking care of the coast and is already figuring on an increased production, The new models of the Baby Grand, the larger car, will be out soon, and while much different from the models which formerly appeared under that name, they will be of even better qua! lty than the cars of the past. The big feature of the Chevrolet line is the valve Jo head motor. Another feature which demonstrates the high order of its assembly is the two unit starting and lighting system. THE NEW COLE IS ROOMIER Body Finish of 1917 Car Also Shows Improvement. The Cole line In the display of the Northwest Auto Co., Oregon distribu tors for the make, shows some of the newer work in painting and body fin Ishing which characterize the 1917 au tomobila Beautiful olive greens, grays an 1 browns are some of the colors offered, with upholstery In each Instance to match the color on the outside. The car Is also roomier than former models, the space being acquired through bet ter upholstering and thinning of side walls and seats without sacrificing strength or comfort. The wheel base has been lengthened from 116 to 127 Inches. The car is stronger, with some vital parts made heavier. The engine is equipped this season with a new mechanical pump. l late and improved Delco lighting and starting system is now used. Cer tain Improvements in the motor have added to the acceleration possibilities and economy. It is more powerful at any speed than formerly. NEW BODIES FOR THE DORT Mechanically This Year's Model Re mains Practically Unchanged. Dort cars are mechanically the same as they were a year ago. In a general way alterations have been made to Improve the appearance and refine certain details to make the car more comfortable. Three new types of body have also been brought out, these being a sedan, a three-passenger road ster and a convertible sedan type ap plicable to the touring car body. The upholstery now conforms with the long pleat or pipe style, which is rap idly replacing button upholstery. The Northwest Auto company, which controls the entire northwest on this car, is showing the Dort in many at tractive models. One of the neatest is closed machine which gives much more of comfort and luxury than the price would lead anyone to expect The car, though light, demonstrates most agreeably on the roughest roads. the comfort being gained through lont; cantilever springs. NEW FEATURES OF DODGE Several Innovations Appear on Car of Unchanged Model. There are many features that are of interest about Dodge Bros. car. al though it is not a new model but a continuation of the car practically as originally brought out over two years ago. A Delco ignition distributor is used; It, however, is not mounted on the gen erator, but is carried on a bracket on the upper part of the crankcase, the same as a magneto would be. Accessibility of generator and pump- driving mechanism is a notable fea ture. It Is not necessary to remove the whole timing-gear cover to adjust WE SPECIALIZE ON Radiator and Fender Repairing and Remodeling Hoods,- Tanks, Etc Auto Sheet Metal Work in General M. B. FISCH 26 North 15th Street. Phone Main 987. imMiy toe Individualized finishes and body designs for exclusive tastes and desires are among the features of the Auto Show. the generator-driving chain er Inspect the pump gear. f Another feature making for accessi bility is the construction of the oil pump, which is so designed that It may be removed or replaced without disturbing- any other parts. It Is situated in the bottom of the crankcase or oil pan. A feature which will appeal to the We urge every man who expects to buy a car, no matter at what price, to see these New Models before he decides. The greatest automobile value on the market today. Oregon Broadway 616. repairman Is the us of the removable valve-steam guides, and a simple tool has been designed for removing or in stalling them. The car follows standard design throughout, the only real innovation being la the gearbox, which is so laid out that the countershaft does not ro tate when high gear Is engaged. This Is an exclusive Dodge Broa feature. tv rr u ew Model! Just Arrived SEE THESE NEW MODELS AT THE AUTOMOBILE SHOW. Motor Car Company Studebaker Distributors fflMi3 The motor to a conservative medium." speed design, with 1 bore and M lnoh stroke. The cylinders are cast ia a block and the head is detachable.' Lubrication Is by circulating splash and cooling lm by pump. A Northeast single-unit starting and lighting sys tem ef 12 volt is used, the cutout anl voltage-regulating mechanism being ln- (OnchrtU ea roitowtag Page.) Iff a PARK AND DAVIS STS.
