Life, 1915-02-11 · page 33 of 44
Life — February 11, 1915 — page 33: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **advertising, not satire or political commentary**. The page features an Overland Coupe automobile advertisement ($1600, f.o.b. Toledo) marketed to women—specifically wealthy women concerned with fashion and comfort. The ad's humor is gentle and period-specific rather than satirical. It highlights features designed for female drivers and passengers: extra-wide doors to accommodate large hats (fashionable at the time), a low step for convenient entry, spacious seating that won't crush formal gowns, and simple electric button controls. The tagline "Just What She Wants" emphasizes tailored design for women's needs and aesthetic preferences. This reflects early 1900s-1910s automotive marketing that treated women as an emerging consumer demographic, though the paternalistic tone—emphasizing appearance, comfort, and simplicity—reveals period assumptions about female drivers' priorities and capabilities.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Ree er, Coupe / eo “SRO = $1600 f. 0. b. Toledo Just What She Wants HE Overland Coupe is especially de- signed for madam’s comfort and re- quirements. The doors are of extra width and height. This permits her to wear her largest hats, without the inconvenience of stooping or turning sideways when she alights or enters. As the body is very low only a short step is necessary when getting in or out. This model comfortably seats four— without crowding the occupants or crush- ing their gowns. The seat cushions are deep and soft. Catalogue on request. The method of driving is the simplest yet devised. On the steering column is a small set of electric buttons. By just pressing these buttons the car is started, stopped and lighted. The interior is finished in that fashion- able mouse gray Bedford cord cloth. The first look at this little beauty will bring you to the full realization that there is but one Coupe for you—the Overland. Deliveries can be made immediately. See it today. Please address Dept. 16 The Willys-Overland Company, Toledo, Ohio comichooks..