Life, 1916-08-17 · page 2 of 38
Life — August 17, 1916 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is **primarily an advertisement**, not satire or political commentary. It's a full-page ad for the Willys Knight Touring Sedan, priced at $1950 (f.o.b. Toledo). The ad uses a comparative visual narrative: the top illustration shows the car as an open convertible; the bottom shows it as a closed sedan. The "joke" or sales pitch is straightforward—this single vehicle provides "two cars in one," offering luxury and protection when needed. The accompanying text emphasizes practical benefits: weather protection, quiet operation (via the "silent sliding sleeve valve motor"), comfort features, and the prestige of closed-car ownership during an era when such vehicles were still a significant luxury. This is commercial messaging, not political commentary or satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Dattahed every Theretay Annual Subgereton Five Dotan. Ten Cents. 1 the Post Office at New York, as Second Class Mail Matter, ‘mere e5 Seconnt Cis hater a the Pow Ofice Deparment, Canaias ‘Copyright ia Englasd and the Hritish Possessions Two cars in one! Convertible on the instant! The extreme of luxury either way! Actually open to every friendly breeze that blows, Absolutely closed, when you want from dust, wind, rain or cold,—as tight as any per- manently closed sedan. And no trouble to. open wide or close tight,—simply lower the windows or raise them, as the case may be. It is perfected convertibility at last. however, protection car) It has the wonderful Knight type sleeve-valve motor which is far better a for closed cars th other type. In closed cars with ordinary motors and gears you shui yourself up wi popping, clashing, no‘ses. But here is a car which you can shut as tight as a drum and yet have peace and quiet. grinding The The Instant You Need Protection Your Touring Car is a Closed Sedan $1950 tak To match its almost silent motor it has al bevel drive gears which virtually inate all gear noises, sound of its silent sliding sleeve- valve moter is. scarcely more audible than your quietly ticking watch. eli The Willys-Overland Company, Toledo, Ohio “Made in U.S. A.” Nothing else approaches the luxury of this noise destroy ing combination. And the convenience of its convertibility—the luxury of its quietness—are matched by a new high standard of riding comfort. absorb equali Cantilever rear sprin all ordinary road ties. But the riding comfort is made even more luxurious by ne improved s smaller spring: them — cach separate checked against rebound. It is a good long car—121-inch wheelbase—and it has lires, 34x41%4-inch—two m features which contribute to make this the easiest riding car you ever dreamed of. see Sce the Overland dealer and place your order promptly to assure early delivery.