Life — November 9, 1911 — page 29: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

top and top boot, upplied by battery separate from Ixaittc “A began building Underslung automobiles seven g0—firm in the conviction that the public would readily see, and appreciate, its many ad- vantages. We have not been disappointed in the result nor has the public. 4 To-day there are no less than fourteen manu- facturers who have adopt the Underslung idea, although th “American” is still the one Underslung car that is designed a: such from beginning to end. 4 It is seldom that foreign critics com- ment on anything of merit which has originated on this side, therefore, the following Item from an English trade paper, and written by a prom- inent automobile engineer, is most significant. 4 ‘It is interesting to watch motor car development in America, where many of the best makes find so ready a market that they are never heard of here. Thus an Indianapolis firm, The American Motors Company, Is building cars of the Underslung design, which I tried two years ago In Paris and commented on very favorably. The illustration shows how beautifully low the car can be built without reducing the clearance. The frame Is simply Inverted and hangs from the axles Instead of being super-Im- posed. The side members are, therefore, in line with the bottom of the dershield, and if a wheel should, for any reason, break or be thrown, the car would slide harmlessly along like sledge on its runners, repair outfit. The ‘American Traveler" (Type 54), $4250 passengers. Same chassis as Type 56. Whcelbase, 124 inches. Tires, 40 x 4 Inches, froot: 41 x 446 Inches, rear: on demountable rims. Regular equipment tncludes top and top boot: S lamps, side and tail lights electric, supplied by tery separate from Ignition battery: Prest-o-Lite tank: Bosch magueto and stor: Dattery: two extra rims; shock absorbers; foot rest; tire holders; horn: Jack: tools and tire repair outf CAR FOR DISCRIMINATING BUYERS” ¢ “Another advantage is that the rebound of the springs on the road acts upward instead of downward, so that the effect of a bad bump is merely to cause a slight sinking instead of a violent jerk. Of cour: this arrangement makes a car more stable; in fact, it is almost impossible to overturn it. Larger wheels can be used, thus giving easier running and less tire wear. | have long since proved that low seats are a great advantage, and a iow bullt four-seated body on this chassis looks very well and will provide ideal comfort. I hope one of our leading makers will take up this idea, as it does not involve much alteration of exis ing designs.” 4 There are a great many advantages of Underslung construction not commented upon in the above article. It is a fact well understood, and acknowledged in automobile engineering circles, that Underslung construction is absolutely ideal. We have just sued a book, which covers the matter thoroughly, and at the same time goes carefully into the designing and construction of all **American Models, showing good pictures of Underslung cars made by us; com: plete specifications, prices, etc. @ We would be gla indeed, fo at A copy of It to. any one who Is contemplating the purchase of any kin of an automobile. Indianapolis, Ind., The ‘‘American Tourist "* (Type 34), $2250 Insepay dad Hebe eect . ae shock absorbers; Foor pasowogerss wbeclvase 118 laches} tires 372 able ricns. "Regular equipanent loclodes top and top boot Tresto-tie taaky Bosch mnagueto aod storage Raltery; ove extra foot rests thew heiders; era; jack} toola and tire repair ovtfi, We offer to bona fide d U.S. A. (Type 22), $1250 The ‘American Scout yan 1 345 tochs comicbooks.com