The Longest Car

A Custom Built Machine with Extraordinary Features

VANITY FAIR'S OBSERVER

THE automobile shown in the photographs is probably the longest passenger car in the world. It has a wheelbase of 156 inches, which is almost 13 inches longer than the RollsRoyce and 6 inches longer than the longest Pic Pic car made in France. In addition to its extreme length, this machine has a great number of unusual features for the convenience of its passengers. The chassis is the most recent dual valve Pierce-Arrow, which has been lengthened and equipped with a custom body by Charles Schutte.

Among its novelties might be mentioned the rear instrument board, which is almost a duplicate of the board carried in the front compartment. Its equipment includes an altimeter which shows the altitude above sea level when driving over the country, a small socket for a trouble light, a large dome light in the center, a 100 mile speedometer, an electric clock with illuminated dial and hands, which is connected directly with the battery of the car and runs indefinitely without being wound, an electric cigar lighter, and a distance type motormeter which takes the place of the customary motormeter generally found on the radiator cap.

Other features of the space behind the front seat include a small compartment for drinking cups behind a small glass door which is released by pressing a button, and a special yacht type faucet for drawing ice water or other liquid refreshments. The source of supply for this faucet is found under the floor in one of the compartments. Here there is an ice chest of sufficient size to accommodate a three gallon ice water tank and three buckets of cracked ice. The air pump on the motor, which supplies the pressure for the gasoline tank at the rear, also supplies several pounds' pressure for this tank and forces the ice water up to the faucet. A small hand pump is provided on the front instrument board to provide pressure when the motor is not running.

The compartments below the rear instrument board are fitted with small doors having special frosted glass panels. In these little cupboards are carried vacuum bottles, knives, forks, plates and other picnic paraphernalia. Under the floor is another compartment in which are found a Victrola, records, and a Kodak.

Around the top edge of the body there is a substantial aluminum moulding done in a fused ivory finish, applied under great heat and cLaimed to be practically indestructible. The same finish is used on the door handles. There is a small sterling silver name plate on each side of the car. The running boards are of special checkered design of inlaid linoleum in light colours.