Life, 1910-03-03 · page 59 of 80
Life — March 3, 1910 — page 59: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a cartoon or satire**—it's a straightforward **automobile advertisement** for the Overland car, published in *Life* magazine (which was a humor and general-interest publication, not primarily political satire). The page celebrates the Overland's remarkable market success: in just two years, it became the best-selling car in America, with $24 million in dealer orders and 125 cars produced daily across four factories. The advertiser emphasizes the car's simplicity (operated by pedals, mastered by a 10-year-old), reliability ("almost trouble-proof"), and value ($1,000 for a 25-horsepower model). The "record" being promoted is purely commercial: rapid growth through word-of-mouth sales from satisfied everyday owners, not racing achievements or technical innovations. Two car models are shown, and readers are invited to request free promotional booklets. This represents early-1900s mass-marketing strategy: building brand credibility through accessible engineering and affordability rather than luxury positioning.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
EERE No Other Car Did The Overland—in two years’ time—has won the leading place in motordom. orders for this season’s delivery call for $24,000,000 worth of cars. Dealers’ Four factories, employing 4,000 men, are turning out 125 Overlands daily to meet the unexampled demand. In all the records of what cars have done there is nothing approaching this. The Record of Records Here is the car which, two years ago, came into a feld filled with long established competitors. The car had slight capital back of it. Its eaker—Mr. John N. Willys—was almost unknown, Advertising was out of the question. There were ahundred cars which seemingly had the advantage But the Overland was a masterpiece of mech- It was simple, automatic, almost trouble- proof. People who saw it recognized their ideal cf what a motor car should be. Wherever a sample Overland went, back came ite calls for more. Sometimes one car would fifty. There could besno two opinions about dominant car after the Overland came. Soon the demand became flood-like. Tents were das temporary factory additions. Then two ctories were purchased, all ready equipped hen came the purchse of the great Pope-Toledo It seemed then that demands could hardly t capacity. But, inside of two months, xe had to build an oddition larger than the original factory Now the four Overland factories contain 30 xres of floor space. Now 4,000 workmen turn tat thirty carloads of Overlands daily to mect the increasing calls. At this writing a fifth factory is being equipped. On one midwinter day—Feb- S8—we received orders from dealers for the diate delivery of 2.365 cars. Yet the Over- hind is but little more than two years old. That is the record of records. And all this has keen done by one car selling others. It has been Orland Model 38—Price $1,000. 25 h.p.—102-inch wheel base. With single rumble seat, $1,050—double done against fierce competition. And, until lately, Overland owners were our only advertisements. A Car’s Real Test Makers frequently cite the road records made by cars specially built, and handled by experts. We point to the sales records made by the Over- land in the hands of every-day owners. That is the real test of motor cars. Delighted Overland owners have said to their friends, “ Buy a car like mine.’’ And the others have said it to others. When a car in that test outsells all the rest there can be no question about it. The car which has won this dominant place will win you when you know the facts. The Reason The Overland's supremacy—wherever known— is due to the following reasons: The Overland engine is a wonderful creation. It is so automatic, so silent and powerful, so free from the usual troubles, that it appeals to the average buyer. The car is amazingly simple. Three of the models operate by pedal control. Push a pedal forward to go ahead, and backward to reverse. Push another pedal forward to get on high speed. It is as simple as walking. A 10-year-old child can master the car in ten minutes. The Two of the many Overland Models All prices include Magneto and full lamp equipment The Overland has less parts than any other high-grade car. One invention alone does away with 47 pieces. The car is almost trouble-proof. Then the Overland gives far more for the money than any other car on the market. And this year —by multiplied production and labor-saving ma- chinery—we have cut the cost 20 per cent. The 25 horsepower Overland this year sells for $1,000. It has a 102-inch wheel base—a possible speed of 50 miles an hour. is the first real automobile sold for $1,000. A 4o horsepower Overland this year sells for $1,250, with single rumble seat. The $1,500 Over- land this year gives all the power and speed, all the style and appearance, that any man can want. Smaller makers cannot begin to compete with what the Overland gives for the money. Ask for These Books We issue two books—one the beautiful Overland catalog showing all the important facts. The other, “The Wonderful Overland Story." Every motor car lover should have these books. Cut out this coupon so you won't forget to write for the books to-day. (36) F. A. BARKER, Sales Manayer B80 The Willys-Overland Company Toledo, Ohio Licensed Under Selden Patect, Please send me the two books free. A 40h. p. Overland with 112-inch wheel base. Price with rumble seat, $1,250—double rumble seat, $1,275— le rumble seat, $1,075—complete Toy Tonneau, $1,100. with 5-passenger Touring or Clote-Coupled body, $1,400. comicbooks.com