Life, 1926-09-09 · page 3 of 40
Life — September 9, 1926 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a cartoon or satirical piece** — it's a straightforward automobile advertisement from Life magazine's early automotive era. The page advertises the **Kissel "All Year Coupe Roadster,"** a convertible vehicle marketed as "two cars in one" because its design allowed it to function as both a closed coupe and open roadster depending on weather conditions. The ad emphasizes practical innovations: rubber cushioning throughout, low chassis height, improved wheelbase proportions, and a new straight-line drive system. Pricing is listed at $1795 (Six) and $2195 (Straight Eight). The Kissel Motor Car Company, based in Hartford, Wisconsin, positioned this vehicle for year-round versatility — a significant selling point in early automotive marketing before standardized car designs became common.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
KISSEL CUSTOM @ BUILT CUSHIONED-IN-RUBBER Motor by Kissel Body by Kissel Six or Straight Eight The New All Year Coupe ‘Roadster Two Cars in One Here is the new “All Year Coupe Roadster.” It is the only American built car that has all major units completely cushioned-in-rubber. All roads —side roads, detours, rough city paventents— now take on the level smoothness of boulevards, Bumps in the road disappear. Driving becomes a more exhilarating experience than ever before. Never in all your motoring life have you ever enjoyed the buoyancy, the quiet, the ease that this new Kissel affords, Motor, chassis, springs and all important units are “cushioned-in-rubber.” No more shackles, spring bolts, or working joints. No oiling of these and other places that formerly had a tendency to develop rattles and squeaks, Other new and important improvements of the “All Year Coupe Roadster” include a still lower chassis—only 68 inches from ground to top. New Straight Line Drive gives greater smooth- ness of operation and eliminates power loss. The motor is now tilted so that crankshaft and drive are in a straight line. New wheelbase—the proper wheelbase has been worked out in ratio to the weight of the car. No “galloping,” “bounc- ing,” “quivering” action sometimes found in cars of improper wheelbase! New, long, straight body lines! New finish! New color design! New wide flat fenders! New cor- ner posts which give broader sweep of vision! Chase Velmo Velvet Mohair Upholstery! Mar- shall Springs! Form-Fitting Seats! The 2 Pas- senger Standard Equipped Six $1795—Straight Eight $2195, £.0. b. factory. The new “All Year Coupe Roadster” is really two cars in one. Drive it in winter as a coupe— in summer as a roadster. It is the car of the year for all the year. THE KISSEL MOTOR CAR COMPANY - HARTFORD, WISCONSIN comicbooks.com