Life, 1927-11-10 · page 29 of 44
Life — November 10, 1927 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is not a cartoon or satire—it's a straightforward automobile advertisement from Life magazine. Franklin Automobile Company is promoting their new "Airman" series of 7-passenger cars. The ad emphasizes the vehicle's airplane-inspired engineering: air-cooling, lightweight construction, and advanced hydraulic brakes. The visual shows a Franklin sedan alongside an airplane, physically juxtaposing the two to suggest the car incorporates aviation technology. The sales pitch targets early 20th-century buyers seeking modern, efficient family vehicles. Key selling points include 25% less weight than competitors, greater comfort, and reliable hill-climbing power—practical concerns for the era's primitive road infrastructure. The "mile-a-minute" claim (60 mph) represented genuinely impressive performance for the period. This reflects the 1920s-30s fascination with aviation as the cutting edge of technology, with automakers leveraging aviation prestige to sell cars.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
AIRMAN FEATURES Air-cooling—the advanced scientific prin ciple noWw so widely endorsed by Airmen Acceleration—the swift-dartin ck maneuvering of the pursuit plane Synchronized 4-wheel hydraulic brakes —just a touch and you get action Speed of a new kind —distance speed — all-day-speed—speed you use Riding comfort—the swift, easy glide of the airplane Larger motor—for any temperature, alti- tude or road condition, a wealth of power always available Engine smoothness —the balanced purr of the turbine 7-passenger model: —the up-to-date fami and Light weight (128 inch wheelbase) cars—commodious Advanced designs—having their counter- part in aeronautical engineering The most comfortable mile-a-minute car ever built Introducing New, light weight 7-passenger models —the up-to-date family cars Today, in the midst of the increas- ing public demand for less weight in large cars—for less bulk and unwieldiness—for greater respon- i and ability—Franklin an- the new Airman 7-pas- senger models, Here—in a Sedan, a Touring Car or a Limousine—you are offered a car you can use without restriction. Franklin led this tendency when it pioneered the Sedan body, and now it is the first to offer a truly ious family car, having the ex- hilarating performance and easy manipulation of the runabout. In these new Franklins you can now enjoy modern 7-passenger roomi- ness, with immeasurably greater riding comfort and yet have 25% less car weight to move about. spa FRANKLIN AuToMonILE Compan The new Airman Series is the latest triumph of Franklin’s scientific light weight construction. Powered by a 24% larger motor—air-cooled, on the principle now so dramati- cally proven by Aviation—the Air- man stands out as the leader in a new era of fast travel coupled with greater safety and comfort. With instant acceleration and posi- tively synchronized 4+-wheel hy- draulic brakes—with abundant hill-climbing power and the ability to operate at a higher average speed all day—the Airman’s performance represents a wholly new motoring experience in store for you. Why not have your first ride today in the most comfortable mile-a-minute car ever built? York Syracuse, New comicbooks.com