Life, 1911-09-07 · page 2 of 44
Life — September 7, 1911 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **an automobile advertisement**, not political satire. It features Oldsmobile's 1911 "Autocrat" model—a four-cylinder touring car priced at $1,350. The image shows a formal gathering of well-dressed men and women in early 1900s attire examining or boarding an open-air automobile outside an iron-gated estate. The scene emphasizes the car's prestige and luxury appeal to wealthy buyers. The advertisement text highlights engineering features (long-stroke motor, large wheels, four-speed transmission) and body options (Touring, Roadster, Limousine). It stresses the model's consistency and refinement rather than radical changes from previous years. There is **no political cartoon or satire** present. This is straightforward commercial marketing of automobiles to affluent early-20th-century consumers.
📄 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 Office at New York, N. Class Malt Mat E Nye Re UN <teg ebale mM pea The. “Autocrat? ~A Superb Car Perfected The Autocrat of 1911 was admittedly—and is to-day—a leader among four-c ylinder cars, regardless of price. Its superb riding qualities and long distance touring abili its beauty of design, strength, speed and absence of vibration made this car the most succe ssful Oldsmobile of recent years and gave a real significance to the phrase, “Autocrat of the Road.’ This is the car which the makers have sought to perfect. It goes without saying that changes have not been very radical. The basic principles of a long-stroke, casy running motor, with surplus power; large wheels i tres; comfort-giving body suspension; finest ish and upholstery are all retained. The prac y's refinement of detail in the bedy, suc the hooded dash and fore-door ventilators; increased luxury of equip- ment and mechanical changes which add to the value and convenience of the chassis and place it still farther ahead of the average types. The price, including a list of accessories not equalled for completeness and quality, remains the same, $3500 for a complete car. Engine and Chassis Body and Equipment Long stroke, T head Motor: § in. bore, 6 in. stroke. Seven passenger touring, Tourabout, Roadster and Limousine Compression release for easy starting. —4-speed bodies. Ventilators in” fore-doors, an exclusive Oldsmobile transmission with unusually quict. gears. 38 by feature, Nickel and black enamel finish on metal. parts. 4! inch Tires. Demountable Rime 34 elliptic Regular equipment includes top and slip cover; windshield, rear springs and shock absorber equipment. Im- speedometer, electric and oil side and. rear lamps of new proved system of lubric lesign; tire irons, cte., all of the finest quality The six-cylinder “Limited” is presented with similar improvements and refinements at no increase in price: $5000 for the seven-passenger touring car completely equipped. OLDS’ MOTOR W ORES, LANSING, MICHIGAN Yo. a8 Second