Life, 1912-12-05 · page 30 of 116
Life — December 5, 1912 — page 30: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **Packard automobile advertisement**, not a political cartoon or satire. It appeared in *Life* magazine's advertising section (note "2342" at bottom, indicating a page number from an ad sequence). The image shows a driver operating a luxury car with left-hand drive controls. The text lists technical innovations as "THE ANSWER" to automotive problems—electric starters, hydraulic governors, six-cylinder engines, forced-feed oiling systems, and other features contemporary buyers valued. The phrase "Ask the man who owns one" was Packard's actual advertising slogan, appealing to social prestige and peer recommendation. For modern readers: this reflects early 1900s luxury-car marketing, when automobiles were still novel and expensive, and technical specifications (rather than styling or performance) were primary sales pitches. The "left drive" feature is noteworthy because it was relatively new and considered an advantage for avoiding street traffic. This is essentially a technical specification sheet formatted as aspirational marketing.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ae a i WA al Hh ‘il il il il i THE ANSWER In the make-up of the Packard “38” carriage are more features directly appealing to the owner and driver than ever before have been embodied in any one motor vehicle Left Drive Avoids the necessity of stepping into the street. This result in connection with other far reaching improve ments, Electric Self-Starter Easily and simpiy operated from a driving position, Centralized Control Comolets mastery of the car from the driver's seat. ympact arrangement at the finger tips operated Pidtbe aligbtest fort Electric Lighting Controlling switches at the centralized control board. Magneto Ignition A high tension dual ignition system independent of the Self-starting battery and motor-gencrator. Insures rackard efficiency at all speeds. Hydraulic Governor Enabling the novice, to drive, with the assurance of an expert. Prevents “stalling” the motor in crowded trafhc; prevents racing the motor when “declutching”; affords agreeable uniformity of road speeds without requiring skillful use of the accelerator pedal. Short Turning Radius ‘The Packard "38" turns in a circle forty-one and one- half feet in diameter. Six-Cylinders Perfected Flexible, efficient, silent, giving motion with no sease of exerted power. Dry Plate Clutch Proof against “burning leather" surfaces and certain of engagement without “grabbing. Forced Feed Oiling Especially desirable for “sixes.”” feeds oil directly to the cylinder walls and is automatic> ally regulated for power requirements, Six-Inch Depth of Frame Proof against sagging. Prevents body distortion, body squeaks and cramping of doors. Size of Crank Shaft The diameter of the crank shalt is 24 inches, Ample size of bearings intures maximum period of service without refitting. An auziliary system The sum of these essentials is to be found in no other car. This com- prehensive solution, in one motor carriage, of all the chief problems of recent years, compels the consideration of the critical patron Ask the man who owns one Packard Motor Car Company, Detroit comicbooks#eo!