BRIGHT COLOURS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 7 January 1928, Page 12

BRIGHT COLOURS.

NOVELTIES IN MOTORS FOR 1928. AMERICAN MOD ELS. After reading about tlie great display of British motors at Olympia, London, it is a change to note the remarkalblei novelties America will offer for sale in 1928. The following article i<s by an Australian journal - ist who is now visiting Los Angeles : Gleaming gem-like in the superb setting provided by the mighty ballroom, foyer, and galeria of the Eiltmorc Ho tel t America’s latest motor masterpieces made a wonderful display at the fourth, annual Los Angeles automobile “saloon.”

Reposing on luxurious carpets, illuminated by a series of giant, crystal chandeliers, surrounded by brilliantlygowned women and sleek businessmen who were chatting with, salesmen clad in evening dress, and aristocrats of the U.S. motor world, resplendent in dueo, nickel and plate glass, made a striking picture for at least qne Australian. . . The Eiltmore setting provided an atmosphere of distinction, which made an impression even on the blase Los Angeles public. Bell boys running to and fro with silver coffee pots and elegant china gave a crowning touch of hospitality. It was a wonderful example of modern American salesmanship. The annual auto “salon” must not •be confused with the great Los Angeles motor show, which brings thousands of models together. No, this is a very “swish” occaisaon, almost a function designed more as a first- view, or dress rehearsal for the exclusive clientele of Los Angeles than for the general public. Still the cars are extremely cheap to one used to Australian prices'. * The “salon” is restricted to one model for each exhibitor. This year 32 distributors were represented, and, of course, only the very latest and what was believed to. be the l most attractive model in each assembling shop, was sent to the Biltmore. MARKED FEMININE INTEREST. The outstanding impression of the Australian visiter was the marked influence of women on modern American motor car design. Since woman and flapper have taken the wheel, motor body building hats been revolutionised. American women have demanded beauty as well as comfort in motorcar design, and they have certainly seemed it. Women’s influence is now responsible for “the two oa,r to the family’' idea, which has definitely arrived in America.

American manufacturers, even of the cheapest makes, have gone, :in for flic fine lines which- once, made English oars stand out from the- more clumsy American type. Now the bodies turned out by Fisher and other leading American ” bu.ilens are remarkable for a really distinctive Deauty.

Everywhere (through the “salon” 1 saw the fine cabriolet sport bodies which, are all the rage in Los Angeles to-day, regarded as the last word in smartness by club' women, dashing “co-ed” flapper, and gilded college youth. These cars have hoods mostly ot khaki colour—unpopular in Australia, but the last word in motor style here —with a detachable rear section, winch leaves. the back of the hood entirely open, to the wonderful Californian air. (lenerally there is a two-coloured duco body aud smart red wheels. Faint greens, greys, or blues, with the mud guards of a. different colour —sometimes even red and yellow—are popular. Foot-plates on the running hoard are marked at night by a blue or green light opposite each door. These add beauty and distinction to the car and provide a further element of safety in this land of speeding by enabling the width of approaching cars to be exactly gauged. STRIKING COLOUR. SCHEMES. A typical 1928 colour scheme is a light green duco with a faint narrow red horizontal, pencil stripe running around the ear, and black - mudguards. Many of the cars have enamelled,red or yellow bumpers. Wire wheels, when painted a bright red, look smart. A striking colour scheme is provided by a light cream car with saxe blue mudguards. Four-wheel brakes were fitted oil almost every car at the' salon. The American public, which not so long ago professed to regard them as unnecessary or unsafe, now thinks them, indispensable. 'Conspicuous among the aristocrats was the opulent model of the RollsRoyce Co. of America, Inc., massive, powerful, and beautiful, but not so graceful as its English cousins. The bonnet is higher and shorted. Each oaf had its gallery of admirers. The Lincoln, Henry Ford’s expensive product, sets a high standard in .beauty of line and greyhound like appearance. CLOSED OARS NO DEARER. In the moderate to cheap field the “Grey Ghost’ ’ sports model of the new Falcon-Ivnight 'attracted perhaps most interest. This is a sleeve-valve engine, and) thirty miles an American gallon is claimed for it. The hinged windscreen can be thrown forward completely out of sight. The Reo. cars, Wolverine and Flying Cloud, which a.re little seen on the Australian market, are also handsome specimens. .1 lingered long beside a magnificent Oakland coupe (coop irb is pro- " nounced here). The salesman to whom I spoke raised i his eyebrows and almost winced when ; I spoke of a “motor-ear”—it is co nsi dI erect “uppish” here to describe a, car as anything but. an auto, or better ' still an automobile. A, marked peculiarity, to. an. Aus- • brail an, of American prices is that » coupes and sedans are. generally the same price as. -and often cheaper than, ordinary tourers. I spent two wonderful hours inspecting these mechanical marvels, and wondering if rit would be possible t'o bring I one back with me, but the flat rate duty of £6O is a substantial barrier against the craving to drive a Fisher body down Collins Street.