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Show bo GAS QUESTION PUZZLES PARIS Serious Problem for Motorists Motor-ists Because Auto Fuel Costly Gasoline consumption for automobiles automo-biles Is such a serious question in '. Paris, with gas costing from 55 to CO tnts a gallon, that recent French ( s'ts to di ' lop better carburetic. are ; being continued. Cars smaller and lighter thaD those generally used in the United States recently have averaged about 60 miles to the gallon of gasoline in oftlclal public contests. The winner in the principal competition of this sort made fi l miles to the gallon Large cars, weighing more than 4,000 pounds, averaged ( lose to 16 j j miles to the gallon In the recent : Strasbourg race of 4 40 miles over the Grand I'rix course and under the I same regulations This was the first ' raci of this kind organized by the i Qrand Prix officials and it proved such a success that a similar content is announced for next year. I These economy tests, according to j carburetor manufacturers. have j taught lessons which will show next ' I v.-in in improved design, but so far I has boon no revolution in engi-aeerlng engi-aeerlng that Is applicable to automobiles automo-biles In general. Racing tests, however, give a misleading mis-leading Ides Of results, for the cars that then average 60 miles to the gallon gal-lon operate normally at about 35 miles to the gallon. The difference Is explained ex-plained as due to six faptors the use I of a special gasoline eflulpment With the best carburetor, carburetor ad- ' justment to get a weak mixture that I would not serve in ordinary driving, I expert driving. perfect mechanical condition of the ar and special ad justment of the motor for high com-1 presslbn and pronounced advance of j I the spark. "v hen the rJ i r f . rent conditions to be ' I ra by thi I rencb and the American j manufacturer arc considt red. Fren b ' experts do not generally fee! that the re is nny remarkable superiority in Ehe French car. Those differences grow out of cost. of operation and the temperament of the public. G'aso- j line costs nearly twice as much in France as In the United States, and French makers, therefore, find It profitable to spend more money to produce' an economical motor. This is done In several ways, but principally princi-pally by having a well-finished, small motor, with relatively high compression, compres-sion, turning over at a high spee,i Some small motors make 4.000 reio-lutlons reio-lutlons per minute, and French racing cars approach "5,000 r. p m. The French are educated to look more to ! gasoline consumption than to speed I and acceleration They prefer a 1 small motor with four sdcoUj. I thy are content to shift gears con-I con-I atantly so as to save gasoline. Americans In Paris' BOmetlfhei wonder won-der wliftrcr Mi higher original cost of French cars really offset the saving In gasoline-. I'rench tara cov-I cov-I responding In size, power, appearance j and ability to trael cost much more than their American rivals. |