The perfecting of the automobile was hampered very much between the years 1891 and 1898 by stringent laws that had been enacted by the French government, which all but prohibited the driving of a car on the public thoroughfare.
The first American-made automobile of the gas propelled type was completed in the year 1892 by Charles Duryea. This car embodied many of our present-day ideas but was very lightly constructed and under-powered.
In 1893 another car made its appearance in America. This car was built by Edward T. Haynes and was the beginning of the present-day Haynes’ line of famous cars.
The first automobile club was organized in Paris, France, in the year 1894 with the Marquis de Dion as president. The purpose of this club was to secure a reformation of the laws that had been enacted when the automobile made its first appearance on the public thorough-fare, and to make laws and rules to govern automobile racing.
At that time it was necessary when driving on a public highway to have some one run seventy-five feet in advance of a car waving a red flag, and to shout a warning at street intersections. These stringent laws, however, were repealed by the government through influential aid brought to bear on it by the automobile club assisted by the rapid progress of the automobile industry.
PURCHASING A NEW CAR
Things to be Considered to Make the Investment Safe
When you are going to buy a new car go about it in this manner and protect your investment.
First.—Choose the car that suits you best in regard to cost, operation, and appearance.
Second.—Inquire as to the financial status of the manufacturer. If there is anything wrong with the car, or the management of the company, it will show up here.
Third.—Orphaned cars may run as well and give as good service as anybody could ask for, but when a company fails or discontinues to manufacture a model, the car immediately loses from one-third to one-half of its actual value. That is, providing you wish to trade it in or sell it as a used car.