Life, 1913-06-05 · page 50 of 52
Life — June 5, 1913 — page 50: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a cartoon or satire page**—it's a full-page advertisement for the Peerless Motor Car Company of Cleveland, Ohio, published in *Life* magazine. The ad showcases the "60-Six" seven-passenger touring car ($6,000) and promotes three six-cylinder models ranging from $4,300 to $7,200. The advertisement's argument is straightforward marketing, not satire: it claims Peerless vehicles prioritize safety and comfort as "fundamentals first," with beauty naturally following from quality construction rather than superficial styling. The only potential irony for a modern reader is that *Life*'s editorial content was satirical, yet *Life* carried substantial automobile advertising—a common tension in early 20th-century magazines balancing humor with revenue. However, the ad itself presents no political commentary or jokes; it's earnest commercial copy typical of the automotive industry during this era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“60-Six” Seven-Passenger Touring — $6000 THE EVOLUTION OF THE PEERLESS HE most obvious characteristic of the Peerless is its irreproach- able beauty— its grace of line and its perfection of finish. Yer the beauty of the Pectless is but a subordinate aim of its makers. Safety is the first essential, comfort is the second; and not until these imperative qualities have been achieved in the highest possible degree is there any deliberate attention to appearances. The beauty of the Peerless therefore has this significance: It is the final expression of that type of absolutely faithful construction that insists on fundamentals first—and by so doing evolves naturally into the beauty of form that results from correct design, the best materials, deliberate manu facture and thorough maturity of every detail. THREE SLX-CYLINDER MODELS “38-Six,” “48-Six,” “60-Six.” Scientific heat treatment of steel parts; electric starting and lighting; irreversible steering gear; long stroke motors; seven distinctive body types, at $4300 to $7200. The Peerless Motor Car Company Cleveland, Ohio Makers also of Peerless Trucks ALI "THAT THE NAME IMPLIES The | ‘or “bod These tests th from au sheer lu alone. Butt To pr points t to your , To m homely from th comicbooks.com