Life — September 25, 1924 — page 4: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This is a **Packard automobile advertisement**, not satire or political commentary. The ad promotes the Packard Six and Packard Eight models by claiming ownership advantages: lower maintenance costs than ordinary cars, better fuel and oil efficiency, longer tire life, and cheaper repairs. The illustration shows a well-dressed man and woman with a Packard automobile, representing the aspirational lifestyle associated with the brand. The tagline "The Packard Owner Knows" positions the car as a choice for discerning, financially savvy buyers. The circular seal stating "Only Packard Can Build a Packard" emphasizes brand exclusivity. The final line "Ask the Man Who Owns One" was Packard's actual advertising slogan, appealing to word-of-mouth credibility and peer recommendation—a common marketing technique of this era (appears to be 1920s).