Life, 1912-03-14 · page 43 of 44
Life — March 14, 1912 — page 43: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a political cartoon or satire** — it's a full-page advertisement for the Rambler Cross Country automobile, placed in *Life* magazine (likely early 1900s, based on the vehicle style). The ad uses *Life*'s characteristic approach of mixing commercial messaging with lifestyle appeal. Rather than hard-sell tactics, it describes the car's features through sensory language: comfort, ease, smooth operation. The "Let Women Decide" section notably appeals to female consumers—unusual for automotive advertising of this era, suggesting manufacturers were beginning to recognize women as purchasing decision-makers. The technical specifications (120-inch wheelbase, friction-free steering, pendulum-smooth suspension) are presented as comfort innovations. The widespread branch offices listed indicate this was a major American manufacturer. This reflects turn-of-the-century automotive competition where comfort and reliability were emerging selling points, not mechanical specifications alone.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ord Free rasrated oe jess Bes “hroud, bet! to boost yer $e deals sit oo TATION Sor can Reger Motor Cars The Rambler Cross Country—$1650 With Self Starter, Top, Top Envelope and Wind Shield, $1815 Here Is a Story of Real Comfort Here is a car that appeals to all your senses. Graceful in lin distinguished in color, long and low hung—it's pleasing to the Step in and you will marvel at the feeling. ttle down in the deep cushions at the big eighteen inch steering wheel—stretch out your legs and know what comfort is. Start the motor and you will sense its silent dignity and power. It runs without vibration, Ride in Careless Ease Take to the open road and at the first re- lease of the clutch its silent action deceives you for the moment. You wonder if the motor has stopped. Open the throttle and away it springs with eagerness. You ride on and on in careless ease and the farther you go the satisfaction of comfort grows. This a car for relaxation—for perfect ease, ‘The wheel base is 120 inches, the wheels and tires 36 x 4 and the straight line torpedo body swings low betw the axles —three inches lower than the ordinary car. Notice the rake to the steering column. It’s adjustable. You can settle down for ile after mile. Your arms are free; your amped. The wheel is just in the right place to see the road ahead. ‘lo steer is but to touch the wheel. Steer Without Friction When you hit a stone the wheels don't turn sharply. When you want to turn it guides as without a point of friction, ‘There’s no whip to the wheel—no bind— just a pleasing flexibility. You sink down with pleasure into the eight inch upholstery—yet you never strike bottom—you never reel nor feel a jolt. The rear springs are 2% inches wide and pro- portionately thin. The period of vibration of the steel is long. The metal is slow acting —deliberate. You go upand down with the smooth regularity of the pendulum of aclock. Let Women Decide It’s car that women most endorse. The seats are low—yet high enough—with suffi- cient leg room tochoose the attitude you like, Three persons ride with ample elbow room in the re r. ‘The rear seat is four feet wide and twenty inches deep with thirty- one inches of leg room—enough for the tallest person. ‘The long, easy arm rest is upholstered to the full length of twenty-six inches. the tonn ‘There isroom for extra 1 and the robe rail, wide, has five inches of space for wraps. A Captivating Car Leather pockets on both rear doo; the left front door are for conveni The front floor below the cowl dash is not narrowed, but is wide, due to the parallel sides of the torpedo body. We want you to feel the personality of this To see it is to appreciate its charms. inished in English Purple Lake, with panned gua istinctive and tool box, tor, it has indi- ity without eccentricity. You will want to prove these things to If before you buy. Send a postal king for the catalog. Ten Other Styles, Including Open and Closed Cars Equipment of 38 and 50 Horse Power —Bosch duplex. ignition. ickel headlights with gas tank. side and tail oil lamps; large tool box; tool roll with comple: Roomy, folding robe rail; foot rest, jack, pump and tire kit. Big wheels and tires help to carry you lightly over depressions in the road. It’s the bumps that cause fa- tgue, You don’t have to brace yourself and hang on i» the Rambler. Branches: THE WILLIAMS PRINTING COMPANY, NEW YORK Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelohia, Sacramento, Milwaukee, San Francisco Fine large, black and Black and nickel tool outfit. The Thomas B. Jeffery Company Main Office and Factory, Kenosha, Wisconsin New York, A cushion soft and pleas- ing even toan invalid. Eight inch upholstery of | finest leather and selected long hair—45 double acting steel spring coils. Rich in com- fort, finished like club furniture. comicbooks.com