Life, 1917-10-25 · page 43 of 44
Life — October 25, 1917 — page 43: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **car advertisement**, not political satire. It promotes the Willys-Knight automobile, specifically its "Sleeve-Valve Motor." The page uses an aristocratic metaphor: the headline "At Home With Thoroughbreds" compares the car's engine to a purebred horse—suggesting quality, breeding, and superiority. The illustration shows a well-dressed woman with two dogs beside a Willys-Knight sedan, emphasizing affluence and gentility. The sales pitch claims the motor's "fine metal and stamina" improve with use, unlike competitors' engines requiring frequent maintenance. The text argues that while other motors develop carbon deposits requiring valve work every thousand miles, the Willys-Knight grows "smoother, more powerful and quieter with use." This is standard early-automobile marketing, targeting middle-to-upper-class buyers by associating the product with refined taste and mechanical reliability. There is no apparent political commentary or satire on this page.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
At Home With Thoroughbreds The Will ason are beautiful c ever produced. Those characteristics of thethoroughbred—fine “ ” and stamina— are inherent in the Willys-Knight motor. The quiet, soft, smooth, powerful motor is a de- light to drive. nds so willingly, acquires greater and greater efficiency as it devours the miles, and reaching top efficiency stays efficient, with rarely ever any adj ment or repair, for thousands and thou- sands of miles beyond the useful life of any other type of motor. No other type of motor is capable of such high average efficiency or of such continuous un- interrupted service. For all other types of motors begin to give way to carbon troubles, cylinders must be cleaned and valves re- seated every few thousand miles. But the sleeve-valve motor grows smoother, more flexible, more powerful and quieter with use. Willys-Overland Inc., Toledo, Ohio Willys-Knight and Overland Motor Cars Knights this ar the most s we have See the nearest Willys- rland dealer and sk him to show you the beautiful open and closed models—let him explain the many ad- of the Willy: ights Town Car comicbooks.com