£1,600,000 IN MOTOR CARS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2808, 8 January 1908, Page 60

£1,600,000 IN MOTOR CARS.

The value of the exhibits at the tenth annual motor-car show, which was opened by President Faillieres at the Grand Palais, in the Champa Elyae^s, Paris, on November 12, was estimated at £1,600,000.

It was anticipated that there will be fully 500,000 visitors, and that the amount of business done would reach £6,000,000. The exhibition gave a bird's-eye view of the evolution ol the - motor car for the last 138 years. The most curious exhibit ,is the oldest car, made by Cugnot- in 1769. This was similar to the modern motor lorry, save that the frame-work and wheels were macfe of oak 12in thick. -

The whefele of this ancient motor car were studded, with iron rivets in much the same way as in the modern non-slip tyre, while the car was steered by a wheel and the brake applied i>y a pedal, as in the most up-to-date care. More than 200,000 electric lamps were used for 'lighting the inside and outside of the building,- and the cost of supplying the electric current for these illuminations ?\fffet out at about £120 aa hour, irre-

spectivo of the lighting of exhibitors' stands. The exhibits showed a marked) increase in small and jncderate priced cars costing from £180 to £320.

Care of from 35 h.p. to 60 h.p. were offered at a reduction of from 15 to ?5 per cent. on. li£6t year's prices owing to,, the diminished demand iot these vehicle®.