Life, 1913-02-06 · page 29 of 48
Life — February 6, 1913 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a straightforward automobile advertisement, not satire or political commentary. The Willys-Overland Company boasts about the Model 69-T's commercial success: 15,000 vehicles delivered in five months, outselling all German factories combined and doubling competitors' sales. The ad emphasizes value—a fully equipped touring car for $985, featuring modern conveniences (self-starter, electric lights, speedometer). Claims of market dominance, particularly in Minnesota, suggest aggressive marketing during the early automotive boom. For modern readers: this reflects the pre-WWI American industrial confidence and the "affordability revolution" Henry Ford pioneered. The car's price ($985 ≈ $32,000 today) positioned it as accessible middle-class transportation, while boasting engineering features that were then novel luxuries, not standard equipment.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
VER fifteen thousand Overlands have been delivered during the last five months. This is more cars than all the automobile factories in Germany turn out in a whole year. This is an increase of 300 per cent. over the same period last year. And last year we /ed every thousand dollar automobile producer in America. Our 1913 sales are more than double those of any other manufacturer producing a similar car. In such states as Minnesota, one of the /argest automobile consuming States in the Union, the Overland has shown a Jarger increase this year than any other motor car manufactured—bar none. The Overland outsells because it outclasses. Overland value is better because it is bigger. You get more car for less money. Catalogue on request. Please address Dept. 16 The Willys-Overland Company, Toledo, Ohio $985—Completely Equipped Model 69-T Self-starter Timken Bearings Mohair Top and Boot 30 Horse Power Center Control Clear Vision, Rain Vision 5-Passenger Touring Car Remy Magneto Wind Shield 10-inch Wheel Base ‘Warner Speedometer Prest-O-Lite Tank comicbooks.com