CHEAP MOTOR CARS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9653, 5 January 1910, Page 2

CHEAP MOTOR CARS.

The exhibition of motor cars at Olympia In London last month was interesting from a good many points of view, one of the chief features being the manner in which the poor man (so called) was catered for. Bat when the motor car makers talk of “poor men” they mean those with incomes of £SOO a year. Resources based upon purees so fashioned were shown to be capable of securing a car seated for four at a cost of £2OO The running expenses of such a machine were estimated at £SO a year, exclusive of tyres ami repairs. Two-seaters were offered, complete, at £l6O. The “poor man” doubtless looked with eyes of envy upon the £2OOO motor caravan built to the order of Mr A. Du Oioa, M.P. It afforded sleeping accommodation for six people exclusive of the cook and chauffeur, who were provided with banks on the roof. A diminutive kitchen was attached, and the occupants of the drawing room inside could communicate with the chauffeur by telephone. In all af the more expensive cars wonderful little devices for securing extra comfort were to be seen. In some machines the front seats as well as the rear ones were enclosed in bodywork and glass, making practically a luxurious drawing room on wheels, wih soft carpets, swinging, delight-fully-padded armchairs, and rich mahogany panelling. The exhibition also served to demonstrate the supremacy of the British manufacturer, who after lagging behind his rivals for several years, has now firmly established his pre-eminence. Of the makers represented at the show seventy were British, twentytwo French, four each American and Swiss, three each Belgian and Italian, and one Austrian. One looked in vain, however, for indications of the fulfilment of Edison’s prophecy that the time would come when motor oars should be within the reach of every workingman. No matter how devoutly desired such a consummation might be it appears to be deferred indefinitely, or at least, until tne Arbitration Courts can ce educed to fix the standard miu;m;.m wage at £SOO per annum.