Life, 1920-01-01 · page 39 of 48
Life — January 1, 1920 — page 39: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The page promotes Studebaker's Series 20 Seven-Passenger "Big-Six" car. The image shows an open-top touring car with several passengers parked before an elegant classical building (likely representing a luxury venue or hotel). The advertisement emphasizes quality materials and engineering—steel, leather, upholstery—while claiming the car is practical and economical despite its 126-inch wheelbase and 60-horsepower engine. It stresses that Studebaker's 68-year reputation prevents cutting corners, and boasts features like shock absorbers and hand-buffed leather. The tone appeals to affluent buyers seeking prestige without extravagance. This is a straightforward commercial pitch, not satirical commentary. The "Life" magazine context (which published both humor and ads) means this glossy advertisement simply occupied premium editorial space alongside the magazine's actual satirical content.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
spestatee share none but the finest materials, such as the best known grades of steel, leather, upholstery, finishing paints, tires and accessories, because Studebaker's reputation precludes the building of cheap cars, or the making of substitutions to lower costs. Tee Series 20 Seven-Passenger BIG-SIX contains It is not an extravagant car to own or operate, although its wheelbase is 126 inches. It is light in weight (only 3125 Ibs.) and its scientific balance induces unusually low fuel consumption with high tire mileage, Its respon- sive 60-h.p. motor with demountable-head and hot-spot in- take manifold gets maximum power from even low grades of fuel. Driving the car at any speed and under any road ° conditions, its perfect performance is always assured, Standard equipment includes ‘cord tires, shock ab- sorbers, straight-side slanting windshield with storm-proof ventilator base and integral side lights, extension tonneau lamp, leather door pads and genuine hand-buffed leather upholstery. Studebaker quality, dominant for 68 years, is reflected in the Series 20 BIG-SIX. comicbooks.com