Life, 1909-01-07 · page 41 of 60
Life — January 7, 1909 — page 41: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is **not a cartoon or satire**—it's a straightforward automobile advertisement from Life magazine's advertising section. The ad promotes the Marmon automobile, manufactured by Nordyke & Marmon Co. of Indianapolis. It presents two models: the "Thirty-two" ($2,400) and the "Fifty" ($3,750), emphasizing their quality construction, mechanical reliability, and value for the price point. The advertising copy uses common early-20th-century marketing language: comparing the car to a "fine watch," highlighting precision manufacturing, and targeting the "forward-looking" buyer. The tagline "The Easiest Riding Car In The World" was likely a competitive claim among automobiles of that era. For modern readers: this represents when automobiles were luxury goods requiring detailed specification comparisons, and when Life's revenue depended heavily on full-page advertisements from major manufacturers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
An Automobile Classic—A Conspicuous Value The Marmon “Thirty-two” is neither a cheaply-built car at a low rice, nor a ‘“‘good enough”’ car at a igh price. It is ahigh grade car in every sense of the word, built as carefully as a fine watch. The parts areinterchange- able, all of them manufactured by us, rigidly tested and carefully assembled into a harmonious whole. Weighing not over 2,100 pounds, with 32-40 H.P., this ‘‘ Thirty-two” has a world of speed and ability. In performance, as in appearance, it is a car that needs no apologies—occasions no regrets—a car you will be proud to own. The “Thirty-two” sustains the Marmon reputation for mechanical excellence. It can be depended upon to stand up under the most severe usage, year after year. To the man who looks ahead and buys with his eyes wide open, this car is an emphatic bargain. No other car on the market at $3000 or less offers so much actual value. Get the specifications, notice the character of design and equipment, and make a few careful comparisons. Genuine Krupp and Chrome Nickel Steels are used for important parts. osch magneto and battery—dual system. ‘Three point motor support. Straight line shaft drive. Rear axle and transmission in one unit.» Mar- mon oiling system. Large brakes. Hess Hright imported ball bearings. Hig tires (4x4 all around), Complete equipment. Furnished as Tour- ing Car, Roadster, Suburban, Coupe, or Limousine Town Car. The Marmon “Fifty”? $3750. A superb car of most distinguished appearance. In hard practical, cash value, itis the superior of the most famous foreign cars selling at two or three times the price. Furnished with Seven-passenger body. Completely equipped. Marmon” Forty-five” Roadster, a special model, 00 comicbooks.com