Life, 1909-08-19 · page 2 of 28
Life — August 19, 1909 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a political cartoon or satire** — it's a straightforward automobile advertisement for Oldsmobile, published in *Life* magazine (around 1910, based on the date reference in the text). The image shows two early automobiles with men in period dress standing beside them, emphasizing their wheel sizes as a key selling point. The advertisement compares the Oldsmobile Limited's larger 42-inch wheels favorably against competitors' standard 36-inch wheels. The text highlights mechanical specifications (six-cylinder vs. four-cylinder engines, horsepower ratings, chassis details) and passenger configurations. This was typical early automotive advertising that stressed technical specifications and reliability to a public still learning about motor vehicles. There is no satirical content or political messaging here — just period advertising.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Entered at the Post ( HE marked difference in wheel diameter, shown by comparison of the tires of the Oldsmobile Limited with those of average size, is a fair measure of the difference between the ‘Limited’? and all other cars . . . In luxurious riding qualitics over any kind of surface; in all the elements of *‘roadability’? and in economical maintenance, not only of the car but of the tires as well, the Oldsmobile makes its precedence assured and unassailable. The silence, power and reliability of the driving mechanism remain unchanged, but in announcing the types for the season of 1910, special attention is called to these important changes in wheel diameters: all six-cylinder cars have 42 inch wheels all four-cylinder cars have 36 inch wheels The four-cylinder Oldsmobile is 4o horse-power, with The six-cylinder Oldsmobile is Go horse-power and will be four speed selective transmission, ‘The wheel base has been known as the “ Oldsmobile Limited.” The seven passe increased to 118 inches. car is shown above ; a roadster body, for two, three or four Seven passenger touring cars; two, three and four passengers, will be built on the same chassis. The 1909 passenger roadster; toy tonneau and closed cars will edition of this car was oversold and a few carly deliveries will be built. be made of the 1910 car, but the year’s output is limited. OLDS MOTOR WORKS, LANSING, MICH. comicbooks.com