NEW MARVEL OF HIGHWAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 234, 4 October 1927, Page 16

NEW MARVEL OF HIGHWAY.

PILOT HOUSE LIKE OCEAN LINER,

HOT MEALS AND HAD 10 CONCERTS.

The most amazing motor vehicle in the world to-day can be seen on the famous "King's Highway," between Los Angeles and San Francisco in California, U.S.A., a distance of 450 miles. It is a huge motor coach with an elevated passenger deck, and a gleaming glass-enclosed pilot house" set far above the level of the lower passenger deck level—and through the wide observation windows can be seen travellers partaking of steaming hot meals as nonchalantly as if in a hotel dining room. There is nothing in the realm of land travel that so much resembles a giant ocean liner—for both the ships of the sea and this Leviathan of the highhave beautiful stream-lines, rich interior appointments, and a snug pilot's cabin perched high above the forward deck. In this car 28 passengers order and promptly receive hot meals a-la-carte. In a fully appointed lavatory they find everything necessary for comfort. Pilot House is Safety Innovation.

The position of the driver in an elevated, glass-enclosed cupola is not merely a spectacular feature; it gives this land pilot clearer vision than has ever before been obtainable in anv type of motor vehicle. He can see over the tops of cars ahead, judging with absolute accuracy the moment to pass slower cars or lorries on the highway without danger of brushing machines coming from the opposite direction. For this elevated position three rear-view mirroTs reveal all the road in the roar.

Then the driver is absolutely isolated— as though he were in another world from his passengers. He climbs into his little compartment, shuts a door, and is alone with his instrument boiard, wheel, and controls. Steering from this height is just as easy as on the regular motor coach, since the mechanical principle is exactly the same. Since the driver's seat is swung above and ahead of the passengers, occupants of the unusual coach have greatly improved vision straight ahead.

He is also able to manipulate the car with greater skill, as he can see both front fenders and the sides of the car equally well from his high-commanding perch. The curved glass in front of him prevents all glare from light and illuminated corner posts. Radio Concerts on Highway. The steward steps out of his compact kitchen to the rear of the coach, where he opens a hinged panel in the polished walnut woodwork. He adjusts two dials and touches a button. "Now, folks—the voice leaps clearly on the air—"you are about to hear a musical programme broadcast from station KFI, Los Angeles . . and the whole coach is filled with music, while through the windows the broad Pacific and its shining waters flash by, or ripened fruit orchards of Santa Clara Valley are viewed in endless succession. There are three cone-shaped loudspeakers set in the ceiling—one for each compartment, and anyone can bo tuned off independently if passengers prefer quiet. Improved Dining Service. The latest development of the kitchenette on board these marvellous observation-buffet motor coaches is a delight and a puzzle to housewives who make the trip. The puzzle is to find how all the requisites for preparing a full meal—ham and eggs, steak, salads, sandwiches, coffee, etc.—are so compactly fitted into so small a space. But there they are—icebox, gas range, kitchen utensils, and food containers. The ! delight is manifest when daintily-pre- j pared meals are served to passengers in their chairs, and they find eating aboard is an easy matter. Upper Deck Affords Fine View. Twelve passengers are privileged to view the countryside from an elevated deck in the centre of the car, which is reached by a couple of steps from both the front compartment (seating twelve people) and the rear observation compartment, which seats four people, facing back. In a compartment underneath the upper deck reached by an outside door, all baggage is kept in dust-proof, weather-proof safety, while just between this elevated section and the front compartment are the kitchen and lavatory.

The interior appointments are more like those of a first-class hotel than of a motor coach. The soft blue leather of the seats invites rest. Each seat can be tilted back to just suit the passenger's inclination, and the soft head-rest makes sleep easily possible.

The windows slide smoothly upward as a crank is turned. Sliding curtains over each window keep out the slanting rays of the sun. Just behind the door of the little kitchen is a drinking fountain. The floor, to match the other tasteful furnishings, is of embossed linoleum. Hang your hat in the slip provided at the back of each seat, park your wraps or packages in the racks overhead, and you are all set for one of the finest trips to be taken in America. A button at the side of each seat calls the steward, another switches on the individual lights over each pair of seats, white inset dome lights overhead throw a diffused glow over all.