Life — May 5, 1910 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Owen Motor Car Advertisement This is a straightforward automobile advertisement, not satirical content. It promotes the 1911 Owen automobile, manufactured in Detroit, Michigan, priced at $4,000 fully equipped. The ad emphasizes the vehicle's distinctive 42-inch wheels (compared to standard 36-inch wheels), arguing this design offers practical advantages: lower center of gravity for stability on rough roads, better ride quality, reduced vibration, and longer tire life. The headline "Two Years Ahead" suggests the Owen company viewed this wheel size as forward-thinking engineering. This represents early automotive marketing that highlighted technical specifications and engineering features as selling points to consumers evaluating competing car models during the automobile industry's rapid expansion period.