Life, 1927-10-06 · page 39 of 40
Life — October 6, 1927 — page 39: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a cartoon or satire**—it's a straightforward automobile advertisement for the Willys-Knight Great Six, a luxury car of the 1920s-30s era. The page features a photograph of the elegant sedan with passengers visible through multiple windows, positioned above West Point military cadets in dress parade (the caption reads "The impressive evening ceremony of Dress Parade at West Point"). This juxtaposition associates the automobile with military precision, discipline, and American prestige. The advertisement emphasizes technical innovations: a "Knight Engine" requiring no valve-grinding, 7-bearing crankshaft, 4-wheel brakes, and shock absorbers. The headline claims 300,000 owners praise its "silence, smoothness and power"—key selling points for 1920s-30s automobiles competing on engineering quality. The pairing with West Point imagery suggests the car embodies American excellence and reliability, appealing to affluent buyers valuing both innovation and tradition.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
HROUGHOUT the country are thou- sands of drivers who are enjoying carefree motoring. They are the drivers of Willys-Knights. The enormous gain in registrations is striking proof of Willys- Knight popularity and merit. Sweeping demand, increasing production, result in new lower prices on the Willys- Knight Great Six—making this splendid automobile more than ever the leader in fine car values. The Knight Engine— No carbon troubles, no valve-grinding. Absolute dependabil- ity. The only type of engine that im- proves with use. 7-Bearing Crankshaft—Of course, in such a fine car. Vibration eliminated. Skinner Rectifier— No oil dilution. 4-Wheel Brakes — Positive, mechanical type, quick-acting. The impressive evening ceremony of Dres 300,000 owners praise its silence, smoothness and power Belflex Shackles—For chassis silence. 8 Timken Bearings in Front Axle — The easiest steering car you have ever handled. Narrow Body Pillars at Windshield—We wish all other cars were so equipped. Ac- cidents would be reduced to a minimum. Adjustable Front Seat on Sedan and Four- some models for utmost comfort. Light Control on Steering Wheel —An ingenious thought for your convenience. Lights flicked dim or bright without taking your hand from wheel. Shock Absorbers— Air cleaner —Thermo- static temperature control— Finest qual- ity upholstery and interior fittings. 5 to $1495. Willys-Knight Great Six, reduced prices $1850 to $2950. Prices f. 0. b factory and specifications subject to change without notice. Willys-Overland, Inc., Toledo, Ohio. Willys-Over- land Sales Co., Ltd., Toronto, Canada. And now, optional color combinations —distinctive ensembles of rave taste and beauty—are available on all body types of the Willys-Knight Great Six WILLYS: THE ENGINE IMPROVES WITH USE — IN KNIGHT SMOOTHNESS, QUIETNESS comicbooks.com ade at West Point AND ECONOMY