Hybrid Auto

Anyone whose motor has broken down in the Adirondacks near Ballston Spa, N. Y., well remembers the towing car that thunders out to fetch cripples into Ballston Spa's leading garage. A sturdy, determined car of incredible age, seemingly, a car strangely difficult to classify as to make. For the wheels are obviously old Cadillac ones, about 1911 model; the radiator, an even more ancient Speedwell part. Something about the headlights suggests Stutz 1912. The windshield is off a Scripps-Booth. Then there is a Packard horn, with Buick and Cole hubcaps, a Grant starter, a Maxwell steering column with Cadillac steering wheel. Pryers into the car's internals might recognize Cadillac transmission and differential, Cadillac upholstery, a Marvel carburetor from some ancient Buick, an oiling system off a 1910 Fiat, Bosch ignition from a 1908 Rourain, Ford connecting rods, and beneath all, the chassis of a prehistoric Empress.

These secrets of mechanical anatomy were revealed by the General Electric Co. one day last week after having the car on the operating table for a bit of electric welding, which proved wholly successful despite the patient's great age.