Life, 1912-02-01 · page 2 of 48
Life — February 1, 1912 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily an **advertisement, not satire or political commentary**. It's a Willys-Overland Company ad from *Life* magazine promoting their Model 61 touring car. The ad emphasizes the vehicle's value: 45 horsepower, $1,500 price tag, and optional self-starter for an additional $20. The text uses competitive language ("more Overlands being bought to-day than any other similar car") and claims economical manufacturing methods. The illustration shows a side-view of the touring car with five passengers aboard, rendered in the standard promotional style of early 1910s automotive advertising. **This is commercial promotion, not editorial satire.** While *Life* was known for humor and social commentary, this particular page serves as a straightforward product advertisement typical of the era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Estered at the Post Offic ‘Clase This 4 Hie Touring Car—$1500 : Equipped with Self-Starter, Only $20 Extra TO mM@iHERE are more Overlands being bought to-day than any pan other similar car in the world. This great success must be due to the fact that we are giving more car for less money than any other maker in the business. Our factory is the | the largest and most complete in the industry. Our enormous and facilities make possible a method of economical production which the smaller plants cannot touch. sen This car is our Model 61. Itisa45 horse power, five-pas- senger touring car—priced at $1500. A survey of the specifi- cations will actually show you the average $2000 value. The wheel base is 115 inches. The selective transmission is fitted | tha with F & S bearings which are used on the most expensive | Wro cars made. The axles are fitted with the finest Timken bearings. The frame is | the of pressed steel with a double drop. The magneto is a Bosch. The body is fin- ished in rich Brewster green, ivory striped. All the bright parts are nickel- plated. The lamps are dead black trimmed with heavy nickel. The tires are big. The upholstery is of the finest leather hand stuffed with real hair. If you wish, we will equip this car with a Self-Starting System for only $20 additional. Our system, we believe, to be the simplest, safest and most eco- nomical starter made. Always works and a child can work it. IN An investigation will prove that this car for $1500 is, at least, the equal, Ne speaking very conservatively, of most of the $2000 cars now on the market. a Write for one of our big 1912 books, which gives you its detailed value. Please ask for book D22. and | The Willys-Overland Company, Toledo, Ohio with cludit does meme exami me st was Note: Fecor: exam Dates