Life, 1921-10-20 · page 29 of 34
Life — October 20, 1921 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **luxury car advertisement**, not political satire. It promotes the Wills Sainte Claire automobile manufactured by C. Harold Wills in Marysville, Michigan. The page uses symbolic imagery: a wild gray goose (the car's radiator emblem) represents "speed and endurance" and connects to the Sainte Claire region of northern Michigan. The inset circle shows the actual vehicle—a substantial touring car typical of 1920s luxury automobiles. The advertising copy positions this as an aspirational product: "the car that you always have hoped for — but never really expected to find," appealing to wealthy consumers seeking distinction in automotive design. The subtitle "The Mo-lyb-den-um Car" references molybdenum steel, a technical detail emphasizing superior construction. The specifications (8-cylinder engine, multiple body styles) target affluent buyers seeking both performance and prestige. This represents early automotive advertising's strategy of combining natural symbolism with engineering credentials to justify premium pricing.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
OcHwites & COMPANY FG)yC ON the Wills Sainte Claire, C. Harold Wills has given to the world a new conception of luxurious motoring. And the emblem that he has put on the radiator—the wild gray goose, embodiment of speed and endurance, typical of the beautiful Sainte Claire region, The Northland, fit- tingly symbolizes Mr. Wills’ distinguished achievement in motor car design and construction. The Wills Sainte Claire is the car that you always have hoped for — but never really expected to find. The motor is 8 cylinder, 60 degree type, with overhead valves and camshafts. Made in four models—5 Passenger Touring Car, 4 Passenger Roadster, 4 Passenger Coupe, and the Sedan with 2 Auxiliary folding seats C:H:-WILLS AND COMPANY Marysville, Wich igare ILLS SAINTE CLAIRE The Mo-lyb-den-um Car Oe sO comicbooks.com