Life — March 4, 1920 — page 12: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Columbia Six Advertisement This is an advertisement, not a political cartoon. It promotes the Columbia Six automobile, manufactured by Columbia Motors Company in Detroit. The ad emphasizes the car's "enthusiasm"—defined as responsiveness and reliable performance on challenging terrain. The images show the vehicle navigating rough, muddy roads with large wheels and sturdy construction. The text appeals to buyers by claiming the Columbia Six provides confidence and dependability for difficult driving conditions. A secondary note addresses mechanically-inclined owners, highlighting the car's thermostatic cooling system and other technical features. The phrase "Gem of the Highway" (at bottom) was the car's marketing slogan. This represents early 1900s automotive advertising, when vehicles were still proving their practical utility rather than luxury appeal.