Life, 1913-01-09 · page 22 of 100
Life — January 9, 1913 — page 22: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a cartoon or satire**—it's a straightforward automobile advertisement for the Packard Motor Car Company's "38" model, appearing in *Life* magazine (which was primarily a humor and satire publication, but also carried ads). The page lists technical features meant to appeal to wealthy car owners: left-hand drive, electric starter, centralized controls, electric lighting, six cylinders, and various mechanical innovations. The phrase "Ask the man who owns one" was a famous Packard advertising slogan emphasizing customer satisfaction and prestige. The only visual element is a line drawing of the actual vehicle—no caricatures or political commentary. This represents early 1900s automotive advertising targeting affluent readers, emphasizing engineering sophistication and modern conveniences. The detailed specifications reflect genuine technical advances that distinguished luxury automobiles from competitors of that era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ae sit Packard Left-Drive “38” Criterion of Motor Cars 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 ia connection with other far reaching improve- ments, Electric Self Starter Easily and simply operated from a driving position, Centralized Control Complete mastery of the car from the driver's seat. A_ compact arrangement at the finger tips operated with the slightest effort. 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-generator. Insuree Packard eficiency at all speeds. 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 sense of exerted power. Dry Plate Clutch Proof against “burning leather” surfaces and certain of engagement without “grabbing.” Forced Feed Oiling Especially desirable for “sizes.” An suxiliary system 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 Braet, Governor squeaks and cramping of doors. nabling the novice, to drive with the assuran fan eapert.. Prevents “stalling” the motor in, crowded Size of Crank Shaft trafic; prevents racing the motor when “declutching'; ‘The diameter of the crank shaft is 234 inches. Ample affords agreeable uniformity of road speeds without size of bearings insures maximum period of service requiring skillful use of the accelerator pedal. ‘without refitting. 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 The Packard at Madison will be exhibited (Garden. New Colssaie, Cascots, Feoreuty | to 8 comicbooks.com