Life, 1927-06-02 · page 41 of 46
Life — June 2, 1927 — page 41: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a political cartoon**—it's a luxury automobile advertisement for the Stearns-Knight motor car, published in *Life* magazine. The page promotes the 1920s Stearns-Knight as "America's most luxurious Motor Car," emphasizing its mechanical superiority: a smooth ride free from vibration, the reliability of its Knight engine, and engineering that prevents common problems like wheel-shimmy. The yacht illustration serves as a visual comparison—just as modern yachts represent refined engineering and comfort, so does the Stearns-Knight among automobiles. The ad's target audience is wealthy "men of affairs and women of the social round" seeking status and exclusivity. Priced from $3,250 to $4,650 (substantial sums in the 1920s), it competes with European luxury brands like Daimler and Peugeot. The satire *Life* might have offered about such conspicuous consumption isn't visible here—this appears to be a straightforward (if elegantly written) commercial advertisement in a magazine known for both humor and quality advertising.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Supreme riding comfort A type of performance achieved by no other American motor car HE sensation of being set apart—that feeling which all men of affairs and women of the social round must have—is wonderfully provided in the new Stearns-Knight. In appearance—a car that more than holds its own in any assembly of luxury cars. In performance—thrilling, because so lacking in vibration and physical sensation; even at high speeds. Perfect: balance—perfect co-ordination—achieved by new, advanced and exclusive engineering designs— , account for this remarkable freedom from wheel- shimmy, steering-wheel kick, vibration of every sort. A type of performance achieved by no other American motor car... . . And the famous Knight Ease of control engine is forever free from carbon and valve troubles . . ‘ * : In the modern yacht have been - sta y ying w p—as e Da er, 3 bbe ~con tantly improving with use—as in the Daimler, embodied every reGnement of the Voisin, Peugeot and a few other recognized world builder's art—every new mechanical leaders in the luxury car group. feature that can in any way pr : mote comfort and simplicity of operation. ,.1n the realm of fine The new Stearns-Knight is now available in 17 body motor it has fallen to the new Stearns-Knight to set similar standards of greater riding com- models. Priced from $3250 to $4650, at Cle 3 fort and motor performance. styles—a complete line of six and eight cylinder Stearns-Knight cAmericas most_Lixurious Zfotor Car TIE PF. B. STEARNS COMPANY CLEVE comicbooks.com