Life, 1910-02-17 · page 43 of 44
Life — February 17, 1910 — page 43: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily **advertising content**, not satirical editorial material. The page promotes the Overland automobile, a car that had achieved remarkable commercial success—$24 million in sales within two years through word-of-mouth alone. The article celebrates the Overland as "the car that captured the country" by emphasizing its **revolutionary simplicity and affordability**. Key selling points include: it's the first real automobile sold for $1,000; it requires minimal mechanical knowledge (a ten-year-old can operate it); the U.S. Government uses them; and it's made with quality materials and workmanship despite the low price. Two car illustrations show different Overland models. The text contrasts this simplified, democratized vehicle against "fierce rivalry"—implying competitors offered complex, expensive alternatives only wealthy buyers could manage or afford. There is **no political satire here**. This represents early automotive industry marketing during the pre-Model T era, celebrating mass-market accessibility as a commercial and social achievement. The tone is earnest promotion, not mockery.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
y Wile raillan The Car That Captured the Country The Overland—the simplified car—has become the sensation of motordom. In two years, without advertising—simply by each car selling others—the demand has’ grown until this year’s sale exceeds 24 000,000. Four factories with 4,000 employees turn out thirty carloads of Overlands daily to meet he unexampled demand. You should know the car which, in the face of fierce rivalry, has so quickly attained the leading place in the trade. A Bit of History Matchless Simplicity four people up a 45 per cent. grade, starting from standstill, It haa earned a perfect score in a 10,000 It was «wo years ago when Jobn Wiliss se- The muin reason why Overlands have outsold all mile non-stop endurance run, finishing in better cured control of this sterpiece of mechanism. others Hes in thetr matchless simplicity The com. shape than it started. rst step was to send sample Overlands out mon complexities hav I been eliminated. The car It is made In na factory which for years was fa- as territories, And back from each came is almost trouble-proof, mous for a 3 OD car. It is made by the same ands for more. Often one car would ‘Three of the Overland models operate by pedal workmen, under the same inspectors; and, so far control. Tush a pedal forward to ahead, or back- as desirable in this lighter car, it is made of the t this new car ard to reverse, Push another pedal forward to same materials, riginal factory e to high speed. It's as natural as walking. first real car to be sold for $1,000. beca over-taxed in two Then tents were A ten-year-old child master the car in’ te Tt is not under-sized, not under-powered. ereted—then two more fi : ased. . A woman can handle it as easily as she ° all the capacity of ca Dur al y e c a ‘a p electric sent out 4,0 r . Yet the de ou Government uses Overlands in. the e highe: ered Overlands for $1.250, $1,400 which the ¢ created—was not even al service, because a novice can handle and care 3 . all give more—grade for grade—than half supplied. next n—this season— them, a And, w ir great output * placed orders for 16.000 Overlands before he lubrication is entirely automatic. The cool. it, no mak n hope td com: xU TNO model came out xystem involves no ¢ pb. One of the — pete with as, All this demand came from those scattered locall- " ors tions de ay with 6% e . tka where Overland cara were known. anothe fF : Write for These Books of car lover should know all the reasons The Larger Scope Mt erland cars have $0 outsold all th —_— —_ — The First Real Automobile 'y are told in two books, both of which meet the flood-like demand Mr. Willys then —— pledo plant — one of the Sold for $1,000 One is a splendid catalog. picturing the Overland plants In America. en he built — — features, The other is “The Wonderful Ov ger than the original nis ‘Then the Overland gives more for the money than Story out this coupon so you won't for gave him four we ped factories, with a capac. in existence. And this year, through write to-day for these books. ay. production, we have cut the cost 20 per Now, with 20 aeres of floor space and 4,000 work- F. A. BARKER, Sales Manager ASS men, we are rendy to with a national demand. We are giving a better car for $1.000 this year rst There are Overt gents now ine ality. was the $1,250 Overland last year. And for The Willys-Overland Company And acts with reasonable promptness 0 this year we are selling a se power car. Toledo, Ohio and car, > $1,000 Overland York City this year takes 1,000 Ove . a Its wheel base is 1 inches—its possible Tlease send me the two books free. speed, 50 miles an hour. each take 500, 7 2 Ks Again and again, in exhibitions, it has carried . in Is are known, they are ii) the time. Two of the many Overland Models All prices include Magneto and full lamp equipment ice $1,000. 25 h.p.—102-inch A 40h. p. Overland with 112-inch wheel base. Price with - ingle rumble seat, $1,050—double single rumble seat, $1,250—double rumble seat, $1,300— ,075—complete Toy Tonneau, $1,100. with 5-passenger Touring or Close-Coupled body, $1,400. THE WILLIAMS PRINTING COMPANY. comicbooks.com