Life, 1915-05-13 · page 39 of 52
Life — May 13, 1915 — page 39: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is **not a cartoon or satire**—it's a straightforward automobile advertisement from the Willys-Overland Company for their Overland Six automobile priced at $1,475. The ad emphasizes value: a six-cylinder car (typically expensive) at an accessible price point. It highlights technical features (45-horsepower motor, high-tension magneto ignition, 125-inch wheelbase) and comfort details (seats seven, quality leather upholstery, non-skid tires) to justify the price. The tagline "A Big Six At A Small Price" is the sales pitch. The illustration shows well-dressed passengers in the open-air vehicle, suggesting prosperity and modern convenience. This reflects early 1910s automotive marketing, when six-cylinder cars represented technological advancement and status symbols. There is no political commentary, caricature, or hidden satire—this is period advertising in *Life* magazine, used as a revenue source alongside the publication's actual editorial content.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
It is no longer necessary to invest a large sum of money in order to get a good six- cylinder car. That day passed when we surprised the public with this big, comfortable, substan- tial Six for only $1475! The Overland Six is larger than most pop- ular priced Sixes. In addition, it has more definite advan- tages. To start with, the powerful six-cylinder 45-horsepower motor is of the very latest en bloc design. It has high tension magneto ignition. This, for a popular priced Six, is very un- usual, The wheel-base is unusually long—125 inches, A Small Price It comfortably seats seven adults. It has large tires—35 x 434 inches all around. The rear tires are non-skid. The upholstery is of the very best hair and that costly bright French finish, black, hand buffed leather. The highest priced cars have no finer up- holstery. Such deep and soft upholstery with the Overland underslung rear springs and large tires insures complete comfort. There has never been a Six, below $2000, that has so many advantages as this one. Our dealer has a new one for you. See it today. Deliveries can be made immediately. Other models $795 to $1600. All prices f. 0. b. Toledo Catalogue on request. Please address Dept. 328 ** Made in U. S. A.” The Willys-Overland Company, Toledo, Ohio comicbooks.com