Life, 1914-12-24 · page 6 of 40
Life — December 24, 1914 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is **primarily an automobile advertisement**, not political satire. It promotes the 1915 Overland car at $1,075, using the headline "Excess Value in Abundance." The illustration shows a well-dressed couple and chauffeur with the vehicle, a common advertising visual of the era suggesting luxury and status. The accompanying text emphasizes the car's affordable price relative to its features—large tires, electric controls conveniently positioned on the steering column, and a high-tension magneto (typically found in more expensive cars). The "satire" is gentle marketing humor: the ad claims the Overland offers premium features at moderate cost, positioning it as exceptional value for middle-class buyers. The Willys-Overland Company, based in Toledo, Ohio, was emphasizing democratic access to automobile luxury during this early automotive era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ess fy a a ah hate dit itpstu he Wpacaccab Excess Value in Abundance The only ordinary thing about the 1915 Overland is the price. In every other respect it is an extraordinary value. The large tires—34 inch x 4 inch—are unusual. So is the convenient arrangement of the electric controls. - The switches are on the steering column—right where you want em. . There is a high tension magneto. Many cars have only cheaper and ordinary battery systems, but the Overland, like all the high priced cars, has the finest high tension magneto. To be sure, other cars probably have some of these features, but only those cars which sell for very much more money. In the Overland you get the latest things and best of everything at an exceptionally moderate price. Look up the Overland dealer in your town. Catalogue on request. Please address department 16. Overland Model 80T - - - + + $1075 Overland Model 81T- - + + = $850 land Model 80R- - - Overland Model 81R- - - + = $795 Overland Model 80 Coupe - - - - Six Cylinder Model 82- - = - = = — $1475 All prices f. 0. b. Toledo The Willys-Overland Company, Toledo, Ohio