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.