Life, 1913-09-18 · page 27 of 44
Life — September 18, 1913 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not satire or political commentary**—it's a straightforward automobile advertisement from Life magazine (circa 1914). The page promotes the Hupmobile, a mid-range American car manufactured by the Hupp Motor Car Company in Detroit. The ad uses repetitive superlatives ("best car of its class") and detailed specifications to appeal to practical buyers seeking durability and value. The illustration shows a well-dressed couple in an open-air touring car, representing the aspirational lifestyle the car promises. The tone is bombastic by modern standards—the company makes nearly identical claims multiple times (about steel, aluminum, bearings, springs). This hyperbolic marketing style was typical of early automotive advertising, when consumers needed persuasion that automobiles were reliable investments rather than novelties. The tagline "The car of The American Family" positions the vehicle as accessible to the emerging middle class, emphasizing economy alongside quality.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
‘LIFE: 483 H U Pmobile The 1914 Hupmobile is in the hands of Hupmobile distributers. We believe this new Hupmobile to be the best car of its class in the world. By best, we mean best in internal essen- tials, especially. We mean best in those things which make for long life and con- tinuous service at lowest cost. But we believe you will also pronounce it the most beautiful car of its class in the world. We believe we have put more money into the chassis than any car of its class in the world. We base these beliefs on our conviction— That the production of this new Hupmobile in- corporates a greater tonnage of high-grade steel than any car of its class in the world; That this new Hupmobile is the largest user of aluminum—without regard to class or price—in the world; That the frame used in the new Hupmobile is the costliest piece of pressed steel construction used by any car of its class in the world; That the Hupmobile long-stroke motor will out- pull any engine of its class in the world. SPECIFICATIONS “32” Touring Car or Roadster—$1050 f. 0. b. Detroit Four-cylinder, long-stroke motor, 3% x 5% inches; unit power plant. Selective type transmission, sliding gears. Center con- trol. Full floating rear axle. 106-inch wheel base. Tires 32 x 3% Q. D.. Rear shock absorber. Magneto rain shield. Equipment—Rain vision ventilating wind shield; mohair top with envelope; Hupmobile Jiffy curtains; speedometer; cocoa mat in tonneau; Prest-O-Lite; oil lamps; tools. Trimmings, black and nickel “32” Touring Car or Roadster with Westinghouse two unit electric generator and starter; electric horn; oversize tires, 33x4 inches; Tonodatable rims, one extra rim and tire carriers at rear. $1200 f. o. b. Detroit. That the Hupmobile pressed steel body—designed by us and built by the builders of Pullman cars— is the costliest body used by any car of its class in the world; That Hupmobile springs utilize a greater tonnage of costly steel—more than 2,000 tons—than any other car of its class in the world; That Hupmobile bearings—Timken and Hyatt— are the best in the world; one whole Hyatt build- ing being devoted to Hupmobile bearings. We repeat—for readiness ; for ruggedness ; for smartness of style; for fineness of finish; for daily work on the road; for extremest economy—we believe this new Hupmobile to be the best car of its class in the world. Hupp Motor Car Company 1231 Milwaukee Avenue, Detroit, Michigan The car of The American Fam comicbooks.com