Life — May 5, 1927 — page 6: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This page is **primarily a luxury automobile advertisement**, not political satire. The Stearns-Knight company (Cleveland, Ohio) markets their car as "America's most luxurious Motor Car." The only cartoon element is the decorative header illustration showing a horse-drawn carriage with a driver—a visual metaphor comparing the car to traditional transportation. The accompanying text "The Spirit of the Thoroughbred" suggests the automobile possesses qualities of a fine horse: responsiveness ("do not drive"), smoothness, and reliability. The ad emphasizes the Knight motor's technical superiority (smooth, powerful, carbon-free), available in 17 body styles, priced $8250–$4650. This is marketing copy exploiting nostalgic associations with equestrian excellence to sell modern automobiles to wealthy consumers.