Life, 1914-02-19 · page 29 of 40
Life — February 19, 1914 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **car advertisement**, not a cartoon or satire. It appeared in *Life* magazine's early automotive era (1914, based on internal references). The page promotes Hudson's new Six-40 automobile, emphasizing its revolutionary affordability and efficiency. The text argues that six-cylinder cars were once luxury items, but Hudson has democratized them through engineering innovation—a lighter engine design borrowed from European models reduces fuel consumption and weight while maintaining power. The "satire" is implicit: the ad mocks historical skepticism toward automotive innovation. It notes that in 1905, critics dismissed the four-cylinder engine the same way some now dismiss the six. The message: Hudson's engineers (led by Howard E. Coffin) have solved what competitors couldn't—delivering six-cylinder luxury at a four-cylinder price ($1,750). For modern readers, this reflects early 20th-century automotive competition and marketing claims that innovations make premium features accessible to ordinary consumers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Gel EL plas 325 ¥=—IUDSON SixLO=— == The Reign of Sixes The Hudson Six-40 brings a new realm under rule of Sixes. $1,750 price, this lightness, this low operative resistless attractions found in no other type of show displayed six-cylinder cars as their best offerings. Eighteen showed Sixes exclusively. That emphasizes the swing to Sixes. In 1905 there were 196 exhibitors, of which 68 were single or two cylinder cars. The same thing was said then against the develop- ment of the Four as some are today predicting for the Six. Yet two years later the two- cylinder exhibits dropped out completely. That, as a bit of history, to set the mind at ease as to the future. IFTY-FOUR out of 79 exhibitors at New York's 14th annual automobile The appeal of the six is resistless. smooth-running, so flexible, so free from vibra- It is so tion, so economical of tires. It rides like con- stant coastiag. At two miles an hour or sixty, in crowded streets or in climbing hills, one rarely needs to change from high gear. Sixes have suffered handicaps. They have always been heavy and costly Their fuel cost was excessive. But men paid the price for their comfort and luxury. And they forced the best makers —all save one —to supply their demand for Sixes. Now the Hudson Six-40 Brings a New Day in Sixes Now the HUDSON engineers, who always lead, bring out a new-type Six. A Six with a small-bore, long-stroke motor, such as Europe is using to minimize weight and fuel cost. The have built a Six-40, with extra tonneau seats, which weighs 2,980 pounds. That's 400 pounds less than our last year's four-cylinder —the HUDSON “37” —with shorter wheel- base and lesser power. And this new-type Six, which shows 47 horsepower, consumes one- fourth less fuel than the HUDSON “37.” The price is $1,750. Not a comparable car, whatever the type, has ever been sold so low. Note what this means. A much lighter car than the best we could do in Fours. A much lower fuel cost. And a price attained by no other makers in a car of this size, class and power. So everything now—in this HUDSON Six- 40—is in favor of the Six. Men who want light weight, low fuel consumption, and the lowest price in a quality car, must come to this Six to get them. Legions of men, to whom cost has barred Sixes, will now find this Six-40 the only afford- able car. A Distinguished Body New-Style Equipment This car also brings out new ideals in beauty, new conveniences, new equipment features. ‘The Streamline body—now the vogue in Europe —is shown here in perfection. Flowing lines HUDSON Six-40 This cost give to this Six car. from tip to tip without the awkward dash angle. You will find, we think, no other car so hand- some and impressive. Then note the new features which we list below. Some of these attractions have never before appeared in any American car. Our Larger Six-54 We build on the same lines the new HUDSON Six-54, In design, in finish and equipment these two cars are almost identical. But the Six-54 has a 135-inch wheelbase. It has more power. And the price is $2,250. Go to your local Hudson dealer and see these new-type Sixes. Go early because we are now —in midwinter— weeks behind on orders. Even for spring delivery you should make de- cision now. Howard E. Coffin’s 55- page “Critical Analysis of 1914 Motor Cars” will be mailed to you on request. Elecric porw-feense canierr—tre holder Price, $1 “81300. Des We ia he 975 ex Hudson Motor Car Company, 7805 Jefferson Avverise: DetisiiseRtetm