Life, 1914-09-03 · page 35 of 48
Life — September 3, 1914 — page 35: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a cartoon or satire** — it's a full-page automobile advertisement from Life magazine for the Hudson Six-40 limousine. The ad promotes a luxury closed automobile priced at $2,550 (f.o.b. Detroit), positioning it as an affordable entry point to high-class motoring. Key selling points include: - Engineering by Howard E. Coffin, described as "America's foremost designer" - A chassis developed over four years by 47 engineers - Luxurious appointments: imported fabrics, electric lights, telephone to driver, collapsible jump seats - New manufacturing efficiency allowing luxury at a lower price point The headline "Luxury's Limit: The Car With a Thousand Charms" emphasizes accessible luxury — the idea that one can now afford premium features without excessive cost. The ad addresses economic anxieties of the era ("The time is past when luxury lovers need suffer over-tax"), suggesting this car democratizes what was previously only for the wealthy. This appears to be early 1900s-era automotive advertising, reflecting the American auto industry's growth and competitive positioning of the Hudson brand.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
HUDSON SIX-40 As a Limousine $2,550, f. o. b, Detroit—Seats Six fuxurys Limit The Car With a Thousand Charms Forget for the moment that the Limousine described here sells this year for $2,550. We are facing new price standards in upper-class cars. The time:is past when luxury lovers need suffer over-tax. The Famous Chassis Thisis the new-model HUDSON Six-40 — the latest production of Howard E. Coffin, America’s fore- most designer. Mr. Coffin, with the 47 other en- gineers, has devoted four years to this model. _It is their final concep- tion of the ideal Six. It excels in'lightness, in economy, in beauty and equipment. In many ways it is the finest example of the new-day quality car. And the size is just right for ease of handling, combined with ample room. The Artistic Side This Limousine body is built for us by famous New England coach builders. Every detail shows the artist’s touch, It is upholstered and trimmed in finest imported fabrics. Sample books at your local HUDSON show- room wil offer you four options. The hardware is hard-rubber- covered. That is, door handles, window lifts, etc. The rear doors lock. There are all the dainty appoint- ments—toilet cases, smoking cases, electric light in the dome, electric telephone to driver. All the glass is sashless. Win- dow and door lights may be dropped. The sashless glass back of the driver is adjusted for ventilating. Set it at any height. The windows and doors have roll curtains. Roll-up storm curtains protect the front seats. The extra seats are collapsible, and one may set them to face either front or rear. All This for $2,550 Here is a car which is widely considered the prince of modem Sixes. In every part and detail it denotes our level best. It comes with a Limousine body built by masters of the art. It is luxurious to the last degree. Now, for the first time—because of HUDSON efficiency—this high- est class of closed car is offered for $2,550. Go judge for yourself—at your Hudson showroom—if any car at any price offers more that you desire. ludson dealers are every- where. New catalog on request. 7-Passenger Phaeton sells for $1,550. 3-Passenger Roadster sells for $1,550. 3-Passenger Cabriolet sells for $1,750. 4-Passenger Coupe sells for $2,150. HUDSON MOTOR CAR COMPANY, 8191 Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, Mich. comicbooks.com