Life, 1921-05-05 · page 39 of 46
Life — May 5, 1921 — page 39: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is not a cartoon or satire—it's a straightforward automobile advertisement from Life magazine's early automotive era (likely 1910s-1920s). The Cleveland Automobile Company promotes their "Cleveland Six" model with an illustrated car positioned before the U.S. Capitol, suggesting American prestige and reliability. The ad emphasizes the car's relatively new market entry (under two years) while claiming nationwide popularity and customer satisfaction. Technical selling points include an exclusive overhead-valve motor, fuel economy, responsive brakes, and comfort features. Four body styles are offered at prices ranging from $1,465 to $2,475. The Capitol backdrop implies civic pride and American manufacturing excellence—a common advertising trope of the era positioning automobiles as symbols of national progress and achievement.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Wins Distinction By Its Better Qualities The Cleveland has been in the motor market less than two years but in that time it has established genuine popularity from coast to coast. For in that time it has been called upon to do all the things expected of an automobile, and it has done them with honor. Today the Cleveland has satisfied owners in every part of the country. It Makes Its Friends By Its Character Featuring the Cleveland is the exclusive Cleve- land motor, most highly refined of the overhead valve type, pliant and powerful. Its unusual degree of acceleration and fuel economy are sub- jects of much comment. You will be interested in how easy the Cleve- land is to handle, the instantly positive action of its brakes, and the comfort in riding which is somuch contributed to by its long ufderslung springs. Four Beautiful Bodies Four splendidly built, upholstered and finished bodies, are pleasing to the best taste. Let us suggest that you defer buying any other light six or four until you know the Cleveland, Cord Tires Standard Equipment Touring Car (Five Passengers) $1465 Sedan (Five Passengers) $2475, Roadster (Three Passengers) $1465 Coupe (Four Passengers) $2375, Prices F.O. B. Cleveland CLEVELAND AUTOMOBILE COMPANY, CLEVELAND, O. Export Department: 1819 Broadway, New York, N. Y. Cable Address: “CLEVE-AUTO” comicbooks.com