Life — March 20, 1913 — page 44: 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 Oakland Motor Car Company of Pontiac, Michigan. The page promotes Oakland's 1913 model year vehicles with the slogan "The Car with a Conscience," emphasizing that the brand combines mechanical reliability with artistic design. The tagline "True Mechanically—Truly Artistic" appeals to consumers wanting both practical engineering and aesthetic appeal. The advertisement features an illustrated scene of well-dressed passengers in and around an Oakland touring car in a scenic landscape, positioning the vehicle as aspirational and sophisticated. Pricing ranges from $1,000 to $3,000, with detailed specifications about chassis options, engines, and electrical features. This represents early automotive advertising strategy: marketing cars not merely as transportation but as symbols of modernity, taste, and social status.