Life, 1929-01-11 · page 2 of 36
Life — January 11, 1929 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This is **not a cartoon or satire page** — it's a **straightforward automobile advertisement** from Stutz Motor Car Company of Indianapolis, Indiana. The page announces two vehicles: an improved Stutz (priced $3,395–$6,895) and an entirely new model called the Blackhawk ($2,395–$2,955). The illustration shows a luxury automobile displayed in an ornate wooden frame, emphasizing its prestige. The ad highlights technical features: four-speed transmission, "Noback" anti-rollback brakes, adjustable seats, and optional six or eight-cylinder engines. Bodies were made by prestigious coachbuilders Le Baron and Weymann. This represents typical 1920s luxury car marketing, targeting wealthy buyers with detailed mechanical specifications and craftsmanship appeals. There is no political satire or social commentary present — it's purely commercial promotion.