Life, 1912-03-07 · page 35 of 60
Life — March 7, 1912 — page 35: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **automobile advertisement**, not a political cartoon. It promotes the Hudson "33" motor car, manufactured by the Hudson Motor Car Company in Detroit. The page features a technical photograph of the motor's valve mechanism, emphasizing its mechanical simplicity compared to competitors. The ad's central argument is that the Hudson "33" has over 1,000 fewer parts than rival vehicles, making it more accessible, maintainable, and reliable. It highlights innovations like a self-starting device (12 parts, 44 pounds) and claims 98% reliability from testing. The advertisement positions Howard E. Coffin's design as the most advanced and practical automobile available. The pricing ($1,600 f.o.b. Detroit) and comparison language ("Compare with any car—regardless of price") suggest this was marketed as a premium yet practical vehicle during what appears to be the 1910s automotive market. There is no satire or political content on this page—it is straightforward product promotion targeting consumers concerned with engineering quality and maintenance costs.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Left hand—valve side—of the simple HUDSON ‘‘33"' motor Compare Such Simplicity With Other Motors Here is where simplicity counts most. An inaccessible motor, or one that is not dust proof, or one that hasn’t sufficient power, or one that is not quiet, will interfere greatly with your motor car satisfaction. You won't find such another motor as this. automobile, the It is in Howard E. Coffin’s greatest New Self-Starting HUDSON °33” This motor is shown here as its simplicity is typical in that respect of the entire car. More than 1000 fewer parts are used. Every vital part of the car is instantly accessible. This means lower cost in making, lower main- tenance cost, because there are fewer parts to get out of adjustment and there is nothing to interfere with quick attention to any portion that might need it. Every detail of finish—development of beauty— Compare with any car—regardless of price. If-Starter, top, Demountable ri Fully equipped with Disco quietness, smooth operation and power is noticeably evident in the Self-Starting HUDSON ‘33.” The self-starting device is in itself in accord with the rest of the car. It has but twelve parts and weighs only 44 pounds. Contrast that with other starters. This one is 98 per cent right as shown in hun- dreds of tests. Other cars have some of the advanced features of the self-starting HUDSON ‘‘33,” but none other has them all. s, BIG tires, windshield, head- lights, oil side and tail lamps, Prest-O-Lite tank and all the price is $1600 f. 0. b. Detroit; Canadian price, f.o. b. Detroit, duty paid, $2150. It is something to own Howard E. Coffin’s latest car. It is something to know it intimately, for in that manner you will be able to understand values in other cars. determining values in any car. Write for our guide, “How to Choose a Motor Car.” It will help you in See the Triangle on the Radiator HUDSON MOTOR CAR CO. 7308 Jefferson Ave., Detroit, Mich. “7 comicbooks.com