Life, 1911-10-12 · page 2 of 48
Life — October 12, 1911 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is **primarily an automobile advertisement**, not satirical content. It's a LIFE magazine ad for Oldsmobile Motor Works (Lansing, Michigan) promoting their car models. The illustration shows a car full of passengers driving through scenic countryside, meant to evoke leisure and adventure. The headline "Confidence Inspiring Ability" is a marketing pitch emphasizing the vehicle's reliability and smooth performance. The ad copy highlights technical features (6-cylinder engine, improved lubrication system) and various body styles available (Touring, Roadster, Limousine). Prices listed range from $2500 to $5000. This represents early 20th-century automotive advertising—using aspirational imagery of outdoor recreation and mechanical superiority to sell cars to affluent consumers. There's no apparent political satire on this page.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
PoNttshed every Thansday._ A\ becription fed at the Post 06 se i c I Possessions Confidence Inspiring Ability There’s exhilaration in a dash into the real country—through the crisp autumn air—with perhaps a mountain stream to ford at full speed, when you have perfect confidence in your car. The owner of an Olds- mobile enjoys every moment of such a ride, without strain or fatigue... . The Oldsmobile is emergency- proof and the more intimate your acquaintance with the car the more confidence you feel in its ability under sut-ol-the-ordinary " conditions. Vhis ability cannot be measured by rated horse-power or a printed list of specifications. . . . For example: while retaining all the manifest advantages of a long-stroke motor,—such as the persistent application of power over varying grades and smoothness of operation—the Oldsmobile will accelerate under full load, is “quick on its feet” and marvelously responsive to the throttle. Engine and Chassis Body and Equipment T head Motor: 3 in. bore, 6 in. stroke. Compression Ventilators in fore-doors, an exclusive Oldsmobile feature. f se for easy starting. 4-speed transmission with Nickel and black enamel finish on metal parts. Regular unusually quiet gears. Demountable Rims. 3% Cquipment includes top and. slip cover; windshield, sp elliptic. Springs and— shock absorber equipment. omcter, electric and oil side and rear lamps of new des Improved system of lubrication. tire irons, cte. all of the finest quality The *Autocra:,"” d-cylinder, $3500. Touring, Roadster, Tourabout and The “Limited,” €-cy!.nder, $5000. (5 a6 inch Tires, . 3 . 43x 5 .nch ‘tires, asciee Limousine Podics. SxS OLDS MOTOR WORKS, LANSING, MICHIGAN Trott Olds Motor Work comicbooks.com