Life, 1929-03-22 · page 35 of 36
Life — March 22, 1929 — page 35: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a cartoon or satire**—it's a straightforward automobile advertisement from the 1920s-early 1930s era. Willys-Overland Inc. promotes their "Superior Whippet" sedans as offering exceptional value. The ad emphasizes two selling points: **affordability** (starting at $595 for the 4-cylinder model) and **modern features** (silent timing chains, aluminum pistons, "Finger-Tip Control" for starting/lights). The vehicle pictured shows typical styling of the era: boxy body, exposed headlights, spoked wheels, and running boards. The ad targets middle-class buyers seeking reliable, stylish cars at competitive prices. The phrase "world's leading values in four-door enclosed cars" reflects a period when enclosed sedans were becoming standard—a shift from open-air vehicles. Nothing in this ad is satirical; it represents authentic 1920s-30s automotive marketing emphasizing both mechanical innovation and affordability.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
WORLD'S GREATEST SEDAN WALUES Y GREATER BEAUTY vy LARGER BODIES Wira alltheir many improvements, the new Superior Whippet Four and Six Sedans are still notable for theirstartling low prices. They hold their placeas the world’s leading values in four-door enclosed cars. Longer bodies, graceful lines, rich, distinctive colors, WHIPPET 4-SEDAN ] higher radiator and hood, sweeping one-picce full crown fenders and perfection of detail mark the new Superior Whippet as the style authority created by master designers. As the mechanical triumph of leading engineers, the Few linder Coach $535; Coupe new Superior Whippet possesses the important advan- Set SS tae, tages of silent timing chain, full force-feed lubrication, aluminum alloy invar-strut pistons, remarkable new WHIPPET 6-SEDAN “Finger-Tip Control’?—and, in the Six, a seven-bear- 7-Bearing Crankshaft ing crankshaft. Long service will prove Whippet’s dependability and economy of operation. $ “Finger -Tip Control” —a single button, in center of steering wheel, starts the Six-cylinder Coach $695; Coupe motor, operates lights and sounds bara. 9695; Coupe (with rumble seat) WILLYS-OVERLAND INC., TOLEDO, OHIO $850 (athading rnenble seat end prices fo bs Toledo, Oba, and specifications subject to change without notice. SUPERIOR Wheppet comicbooks.com