Life, 1910-05-05 · page 9 of 72
Life — May 5, 1910 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
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.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Why the Owen Has 42-Inch Wheels Low Center of Gravity The Owen is made to fit 42-inch whe gravity is even lower than on ordinary car: double drop frame and underhung rear springs. Yet the clearance is ample for the worst country roads. The low center of gravity increases the easy riding qualities wonder- fully and almost eliminates skidding. The center of because of the Tire Cost Much Lower 42 x q4-inch tires wear from three to four times long: than 36 x 4 tires. The wearing surface is greater. Chil- dren’s shoes wear out quicker than grown pcople’s because children take shorter steps. 42-inch wheels, we may say, “take longer steps’? than 36-inch wheels. 42-inch tires don't puncture or blow out as easily as 36-inch, because there is less friction, less heat, less strain on the tire fabric. ee $4,000 Fully Equipped Easier Riding 42-inch wheels glide over road depressions that 36-inch wheels drop into like lead. They reduce jolts and jars and make touring even over rough roads a pleasure. sensation of riding in an Owen is cradle-li wheels make boulevards out of country road Less Vibration—Longer Life of Whole Car Vibration wears out metal more than natural use. A 42-inch wheel automobile gets less vibration and jar t the ordinary kind. The Owen, on account of its double drop frame, low center of gravity, underhung rear springs, and superb spring suspension, gets much less vibration from rough roads than other cars. Longer life for the whole car is the result. The 1911 oo Designed for Touring Comfort “Two Years Ahe Specifications — PRESENT-DAY tendencies in Long-Stroke Motor, bore with finch stroke automobile construction ner onsY mark the 1011 Owen “two years ahead” of ou Lett-Hand Drive—The sicering. gear te on the left ad Every argument is in favor of this post on the 1001 Owen the gear shifting lever re nt the drivers right with no levers outatde the body. TI ind drive permits of driving to’ the curb on the Tight side of the street and Giemounting ot the sidewalk. The right-hand gear shift is natural and leaves nothing new In the operation of the car to be learned. h—50 H ‘the 1911 Owen motor every ad~ fon ‘a ‘not a freaky torpedo, but a stylish, roomy, to Fait ‘Touring Faulpment The 1911 Owen ts fully equipped for touring. No necessity or luxury has been overlooked. Gu P., 4 cylinder, 4%-Inch car Is complete—nothing left to Duy but Suet. slog. alog how ready and sent om request, OWEN MOTOR CAR COMPANY, 1612 E. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan 10} 27410 ™ comicbooks.com ‘The regular equip ment includes Qnest quality mohair top with side curtains and top slip cover: folding wind shield; clock: speedometer: electric horn; combination gas and electric bead jights; combination oll Get the facts about this 1911 ‘Of the times before you pay more or