Life, 1929-06-14 · page 43 of 44
Life — June 14, 1929 — page 43: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **car advertisement**, not political satire. The page promotes the Willys-Knight "70-B" sedan at $1145. The illustration depicts stylish 1920s figures—a woman and man in fashionable attire—lounging near the automobile, emphasizing luxury and modernity. The "beauty and size beyond its price" headline targets affluent consumers seeking elegance at reasonable cost. Technical copy highlights the patented double sleeve-valve engine, seven-bearing crankshaft, and "finger-tip control" (one-button starter)—innovations positioning this as a scientifically engineered vehicle. The sidebar detail about simplified steering controls appeals to drivers seeking ease of operation. The side-profile illustration of the actual car emphasizes its streamlined design. Manufacturing details ("quantity production and volume sales") justify the relatively affordable price for such craftsmanship. This represents typical 1920s automotive advertising: combining aspirational lifestyle imagery with technical specifications to market cars to the growing middle-class consumer market.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
EAUTY AND Size BEYOND ITS PRICE Grace of line and luxury of finish distinguish the new Willys- Knight «70-B” as the outstanding creation of modern style specialists. Its big motor is the patented double sleeve-valve engine, so notable for smoothness, silence, economy and increasing efficiency. A heavy seven-bearing crankshaft reduces vibration to a minimum, while the improved frame construction gives extra ; steering wheel, controls rigidity and enhanced riding comfort. Only quantity produc- starter; lighte and horn, tion and volume sales make possible the low price on so Simple design, easy opera- artistically designed and scientifically engineered a car as the tion; no wires in steering new style Willys-Knight “70-B.” post. One button, in center of WILLYS-KNIGHT ‘70-BY FIVE-PASSENGER SEDAN $1145 Coach $1045; Coupe $1045; vadater $1045; Touring $1045, wbeels included.” Prices {. 0. b. Toledo, O1 ad pecibcations subject ithout wew sre WLLLYS = KNIGHT scrox ens WILLYS-OVERLAND, INC., TOLEDO, OHIO WILLYS -OVERLAND SALES CO., LTD., TORONTO, CANADA comicbooks.com