The old "bait and switch". StJohn, I'd never ask you to divulge your secrets... but could you? I had the same question after reading it.
Huh, I didn't expect so much confusion, but that may well be my fault. The thing that got me interested in steam cars was Mary Ward, the first car accident fatality, who got run over by one of the bohemoths in 1869. If people want to ride around in motorized death traps, no matter how beautiful they are, then I think that's a novel enough way to commit suicide. The line is borrowed from "Sir Henry at Rawlinson End", in which Sir Henry spies a hang-glider sailing through the air and remarks: "Seems a novel enough way to commit suicide. Fetch me the pistol, I'll see if I can't bring the blighter down in the lake."