Popular Science Monthly 



283 



Race meets at stated periods stimulate the manufacture of small cars in various shapes 

 and forms, but generally the construction of some favorite large car is copied in miniature 



Miniature Automobiles and Their 

 Race Meets 



MINIATURE but practical motor-cars 

 are being built by youngsters in 

 California in great numbers, and of widely 

 differing designs, and the sight of them 

 whizzing through the streets of Los Angeles 

 is so common that they no longer attract 

 special attention. The rapid development 

 of junior car building in that section is 

 largely due to the stimulating influence of 

 frequent road races in California, planned 

 especially for juniors. 



A racing association for boys has been 

 formed in Los Angeles and a number of 

 meets have been held, with cups and cash 

 prizes awarded by motor enthusiasts. 



The little automobiles are largely home- 

 made, with the exception of the engines and 

 some of the more complicated parts. As a 

 rule the engine from some outworn motor- 

 cycle is bought for a few dollars and 

 adapted for use in a diminutive car. The 

 steering wheel is usually secured from an 



auto-wrecking establishment, and the 

 wheels may be from bicycles, motorcycles or 

 coasters ; though one or two small machines 

 make use of the pneumatic-tired wheels 

 designed for airplane use. 



The chassis, body, transmission, steering 

 device and gas tank are as a rule of home 

 manufacture. It will be seen that to build 

 a neat and efficient miniature car requires 

 considerable ability as a woodworker, 

 machinist and tinsmith. Of course the 

 manual training received in the public 

 schools is very helpful in developing 

 mechanical skill. The photographs show a 

 number of home-made models and one 

 factory-built junior car. 



Hanging Backing Cloth for 

 Wall Paper 



IN hanging cheesecloth or muslin for back- 

 ing on which to hang wall paper, wrinkles 

 will be prevented if you first wet the cloth 

 with clear water and when dry size it with 

 alum water, I lb. to the pail. 



