28 Inches Shorter

U. S. motorists this week inspected the world's smallest automobile--28 in. shorter than any standard U. S. car. Announced last summer, built at Butler, Pa. under the direction of able Arthur J. Brandt, the American Austin was exhibited this week in dealers' showrooms throughout the country and will be making retail deliveries early in July. Austin men say that dealers have ordered 183,000 Austins, priced at $445 F. O. B. Butler (Ford roadster, $435; Ford coupe, $495, F. O. B. Detroit; Chevrolet roadster and touring, $495; Chevrolet coupe, $565, F. O. B. Flint, Mich.; Durant coach sedan, $725, F. O. B. Detroit).

Size--lack of it--is the distinguishing Austin feature. A tall owner (6 ft. 3 in. or more) lying under the car to tinker with its vitals would extend from wheel to wheel; a large horse (over 1,130 Ib.) would have a weight advantage in a collision. The full car length is 10 ft., width 4 ft. 4 in. Slipping easily through traffic, turning on a 16-ft. radius, parked wherever ten feet of parking space are available, the Austin offers obvious advantages with respect to handling in heavy traffic. Its sponsors also maintain that it will go 40 mi. on a gallon of gasoline, will run from 20,000 to 40,000 mi. on a set of tires. The Austin will reach a speed of more than 50 m.p.h.

Whether the U. S. motorist would take kindly to the "bantam" Austin remained of course for time to demonstrate. The car is derived from the English Austin (though U. S. built and financed) and in England the Austin, made by Sir Herbert Austin, frequently termed Ford of England, has been successful for some eight years. There are also French and German companies making French and German Austins. In England and on the Continent, however, car sizes are considerably smaller than in the U. S., partly because of government taxes graded to weight and horsepower, partly because the foreign motorist is more appreciative of operating economies. Austin men argue that the Austin will help solve the highway congestion problem, suggest it also third car for the two-car family.

Friends of Arthur J. Brandt, American Austin president, bring to him no ripe red apples, for the odor of apples is distressing to Mr. Brandt who will leave the table if the fruit is served. From his first job -- with Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co. -- he asked to be discharged, saying that he did not consider himself earning his salary. His first big responsibility came in 1923 when he took over the direction of Oakland Motor Car Co., General Motors' "sick" unit. He made it so healthy that Pontiac was later brought out under Oakland auspices. Later he was called to Russia by the Soviets, constructed Russian truck plants in the U. S. manner. Last year Sir Herbert Austin visited the U. S. seeking to interest U. S. capital in an American Austin. General Motors was among those not interested, although General Motors today is closely watching the success of a small Austin-like Opel car and may introduce a similar machine in the U. S. market. Eventually Sir Herbert did interest Bulkley, Valance & Co., Manhattan investment company, and Mr. Brandt.

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