Life, 1919-10-30 · page 6 of 36
Life — October 30, 1919 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is **primarily an advertisement** for Packard Motor Car Company (Detroit), not a political cartoon or satire. The ad argues that Packard maintains high quality standards despite price increases—a key selling point during the 1920s when automobile prices were rising. The text emphasizes that Packard owners are accustomed to "high quality transportation" and that the brand's reputation justifies premium pricing. The small illustration shows a Packard engine and chassis. The "Ask the Man Who Owns One" tagline was Packard's actual marketing slogan, positioning owner testimonials as proof of quality. The ad reflects post-WWI economic conditions when luxury car manufacturers justified inflation by emphasizing craftsmanship and reliability—appealing to wealthy buyers concerned about value retention of their investments.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The PACKARD System of LUBRICATION TO INSURE the HIGH QUALITY of TRANSPORTATION to which PACKARD OWNERS are Accustomed ‘fl that price is incident to qual- ity. Price advances in Packard cars are never made for any other reason than to maintain the high- est standards. [: is a fixed Packard principle It used to be the fashion among manufacturers to think that qual- ity was a matter of materials—to think that it could be maintained solely by purchasing high grade steel and lumber and fittings. ThePackard people havealways held that the spirit of the artisan is equally important and are confident that the advantage the Packard owner gets in the per- formance of his car is largely a matter of the quality of workman- shipandthespiritofthe workman. @- @ A Packard price advance is in- teresting to the present Packard owner because it draws attention to the cash value of his invest- ment in transportation. We know of no motor car which brings today such a high percentage of its purchase price on the used car market. Men whose first fine cars were used Packards will tell you that there is little gamble in such a purchase—less than in many an ordinary car fresh from the hands of its manufacturer. e@ @ To men about to purchase Packards, a price advance merely emphasizes the small percentage the first cost of their Packard is to the value of the transportation delivered. When they buy a Packard they are buying the highest grade of motor car transportation. They are buying the nerve rest which comes from traveling in the utmost comfort. They are buying the true saving which comes from having speedy, reliable transportation at their call for business or pleasure. And they are buying fifty thou- sand, a hundred thousand miles of such transportation, more if they wish, without the necessity for another initial investment. Always with the highest pos sible used-car value to be cashed in at any time. Becausethe miles arebuiltinthe Packard ready for the new manto use when the firstownergivesitup. Packard representatives are al- ways glad to talk about the true value of motor transportation whether you are ready to purchase or not. You will find a call at Packard headquarters interesting and profitable. ““ Ask the Man Who Owns One”’ PACKARD MOTOR CAR COMPANY -- Detroit comicbooks.comay