Life, 1913-04-03 · page 10 of 52
Life — April 3, 1913 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **Packard Motor Car Company advertisement**, not satire or editorial content. The two illustrations compare driving positions: "The Packard Way" (left drive) versus "The Old Way" (right drive). The advertisement promotes Packard's new left-hand drive models (the "38" and "48") as modern improvements offering safety and convenience—drivers enter from the curb rather than traffic, gain better road visibility, and control all functions from a centralized position. The "Old Way" image shows a driver awkwardly positioned on the right side, implying outdated design. This reflects a real automotive industry shift in the early 20th century when left-hand drive became standard in America. The ad emphasizes Packard's engineering reputation built over "fourteen years' experience" and appeals to buyers to "ask the man who owns one"—a famous Packard slogan.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE PACKARD WAY THE OLD WAY Convenience, Security, Maximum Service Packard Left Drive Motor Carriages The New “38”? The New “48” Left Drive Packard left drive, with electric self starter and centralized control, means this to you: You enter the car directly from the curb. You avoid muddy pavements and the dangers of passing traffic. You start the motor by touching a button and pressing a foot pedal. You control all the lights and the carburetor adjustments from the driving position. When driving in traffic you have an unobstructed view of the road ahead. When turning off to the left in traffic, your protection is assured by a position convenient for signalling with left arm. When turning off to the right, you are naturally protected by the adjacent curb. PROT reee ies ue) fa a | ecko am emergencies demand the bridge builder’s factor of safety. Efficiency far exceeding the requirement, is the uncompromising standard to which every Packard is built. The new ‘‘38’’ and the new ‘‘48”’ represent knowledge of emergency Rau semen: knowledge gained through fourteen years’ experience in the factory and on the road. ve we Ae he ge SE Ask the man who owns one COLOR CATALOG ON REQUEST Packard Motor Car Company, Detroit, Michigan Meee ee ree ulahvel dud isuioe oui aie comicbooks.com