Life, 1927-07-14 · page 39 of 40
Life — July 14, 1927 — page 39: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **Willys-Knight automobile advertisement**, not a political cartoon. The page promotes the Willys-Knight car's features and engine superiority to a modern reader unfamiliar with early automotive history. The advertisement emphasizes that the Willys-Knight engine "improves with use" in smoothness, quietness, and economy. A chart compares the Willys-Knight's "Safety Valve" performance favorably against a "Poppet Valve Engine," showing the competitor's efficiency declining with mileage while Willys-Knight maintains performance. The car photo shows a substantial sedan with multiple passengers visible through windows, emphasizing its family capacity and comfort features—narrow windshield pillars, adjustable front seats, shock absorbers, and light controls. The headline quotes an owner's letter claiming over 92,000 miles of smooth operation, using customer testimonials as credibility markers typical of early automotive advertising appeals.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
‘Over 92,000 Mies \\ -smooth as ever” Narrow Body Pillars at Windshield—I! a wuld be minimized —an excerpt from a lette 200,000 owners of W ving these enthe oo in Front Axle—Twice a You steer the Willys-Kr Adjustable Front Seat—Like a well-tailored suit more efficient Results designed to fit . WILLYS-KNIGHT ENGINE Light Control at Steering 7-Bearing Crankshaft—Of GAINS IN EFFICIENCY Wheel—Lights dimmed without re i ing your hand from COURSE manes 16000 0000 44000 ©0000 15000) Rectifier—Keeps your and on the job; prevents %e [ Shock Absorbers—Air Cleaner. Thermostatic Ter dilution der to Finest qua monman 4-Wheel Bra chanical, quick-a ernouncy > to your safety in = Yo © . Py Knish « squictasthe Knight Ex ta 100 No greasing or adjustment POPPET VALVE ENGINE LOSES WILLYS-KNIGHT THE ENGINE IMPROVES WITH USE—IN SMOOTHNESS, QUIETNESS AND ECONOMY = saves comicbooks.com gy EF ORER Sales i | A gq a q qj I | i : t t t Z a i Q , wesseo