Life, 1920-02-12 · page 39 of 44
Life — February 12, 1920 — page 39: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **car advertisement**, not political satire. It promotes the Studebaker Series 20 Special-Six automobile, emphasizing its suitability for winter driving. The page features a winter landscape photograph (snowy scene with trees and buildings) and a side-view illustration of the dark-colored vehicle with passengers visible inside. The text highlights practical features for harsh weather: a 50-horsepower engine, intermediate transmission, improved windshield, storm curtains, and quality materials (alloy steels, cord tires, leather upholstery). The appeal is straightforward—reliability and comfort during winter travel. This represents early automotive advertising's focus on engineering specifications and weatherproofing rather than style or lifestyle marketing common in later decades.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SERIES 20 Stu SPECIAL- SIX N winter when you are dependent upon | a motor car for efficient transportation to get about swiftly, safely, comfort- ably and over the shortest route—you will find maximum satisfaction in a Series 20 SPECIAL-SIX. 50-H. P. detachable-head motor; intermediate transmission; 119-inch wheelbase; five-passenger body; cord tire equipment; outside and inside door handles; improved windshield with bullet- shaped cowl lamps; extension tonneau lamp; tight and close-fitting storm curtains opening with the doors, make the car comfortable and afford complete protection against driving storms and wintry winds. Studebaker’s reputation precludes the use of anything but the finest mater- ials. Highest grade alloy steels are used in gears, shafts and other vital parts. Cord tires and shock absorbers are standard equipment. Upholstery is of genuine leather. comicbooks.com