The Motion Picture Director (Sep 1925 - Feb 1926)

28 THE MOTION PICTURE DIRECTOR February mechanical features, combined in a long, low, swift looking car. The maximum outside height of the entire line of six body types is 70 inches, making it possible for a person of average height to look clear over the car when standing on the curbing. One standard price, under $3500, has been set for all six Stutz models, a sales innovation which will no doubt be followed eventually by many builders. The engine is eight-in-line with nine main bearings and an overhead valve control assembly, automatically oiled. Automatic oiling is also carried out in the chassis. The famous Stutz under-slung chassis is retained with refinements and improvements. The seat level is only 30 inches from the pavement, and although the car is rated 131 inches long, it can be turned in a 24 foot radius. Latest type hydraulic four wheel brakes, balloon tires special cam and lever steering gear for balloon tires, with coordinated spring design, are said to make these new cars remarkably comfortable and so easily and positively controlled that they are practically skidproof, even at high speed, on wet surfaces. In fact many features of the new Stutz line and the methods outlined for their distribution and sale are prophetic, marking a trend close to policies adopted all along the line by the foremost motor car makers. Two sport roadsters and four closed body types make up the line. Most of the new cars for 1926 are closed models, with smart roadsters, equipped with rumble seats, representing the open types. And even the roadsters and speedsters are receiving brisk competition by the advent of many sport coupes. General Motors announces an entirely new six, the Pontiac, featured in a coupe and a coach to sell around a thousand dollars, distributed as a companion car to the Oakland line. It is reported to be the ‘‘last word” in moderate priced transportation, carrying all the newest mechanical and comfort features, such as automatic lubrication, special easy ride spring design, Majel Coleman had the first ride in this new Jordan Line Eight Playboy which has an engine designed after the turbine principle. feather-finger control, and marked operation economy by reason of a friction-free motor of powerful, but small piston Readily convertible from sleek sport roadster to snug coupe, this new Kissel model is offered in both six and eight. It is called the “All-Year Car.” construction. The closed cars undoubtedly hold the center of the picture. Some makers have quit building open models, while others offer them only in de luxe designs. Times have certainly changed. Yesterday, the rich man was known by his closed car. Today, the open sport type vehicle is the mark of af fluence ; for it is usually the second car in the family, reserved for exceptionally fine days. Body finishes continue to lean toward the new lacquer coating, although baked enamel and multi-coated paint and varnish coverings are still favored by some. Chassis life has been lengthened by improvement in fit and quality of parts. The old song about cars being built better in former years is now passe. Today’s cars are actually better than they were even two years ago. Increased life has been gained by improvements in design. Pressure lubrication is now almost universal. That increases bearing life, and all wearing surfaces are larger, and hence slower to deteriorate. Two new features, the air-cleaner and the oil purifier, or rectifier, adopted by many leading builders have materially increased engine life. The former takes the dirt out of the air which is drawn into the motor through the carburetor, and the latter takes the grit out of the oil in the crankcase; also keeping it free from water and gasoline drippings, thus increasing bearing service. Another interesting device which is gaining wide acceptance and is installed on many of the new models this year, is the gasoline filter. It became prominent last year when Studebaker adopted it as standard equipment without any special publicity. Shock absorbers are prominent as stock equipment this year, adding to riding comfort, and nearly all models have balloon tires and four-wheel brakes, with special steering improvements which have increased motoring safety through quick and easy car control, a most vital advantage in (Continued on Page 59) A flash of foreign fashion is incorporated in the design of the new Marmon, and Mitchell Lewis found this Speedster irresistible.