Life, 1929-04-19 · page 35 of 52
Life — April 19, 1929 — page 35: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not satire or political commentary** — it's a straightforward automobile advertisement from Life magazine (page 33), likely from the late 1920s or early 1930s. The page promotes Chrysler's new "73" and "65" models, featuring a luxury convertible photographed against Egyptian temple columns. The advertisement argues that Chrysler's styling derives from classical artistic principles — specifically citing Egyptian lotus-leaf motifs visible in temple architecture at Karnak. The appeal combines modernist design language with classical legitimacy: Chrysler claims its cars represent timeless aesthetic principles, not mere fashion. The text emphasizes practical virtues alongside style: safety, ease of handling, and value. For modern readers, this reflects how 1920s-30s luxury marketers positioned automobiles as refined objects worthy of serious aesthetic consideration, borrowing authority from high art and ancient civilizations to justify premium pricing.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Chrysler beauty—no chance creation—but tracing from the origins of classic art, as applied by Chrysler to the modern mo- tor car—is universally conceded to be the most striking new thing in automobile design the world has seen. This new Chrysler smartness and obvious style authority thus at- tained have done much to make Chrysler cars so attractive. Life 33 New Chrysler "73" 3- Passenger Sport Phacton $1793—New Chrysler "'73""—Nine body styles priced from $1335 t0 $2345—New Chrysler "65" Six body styles priced from $1040 to $1143, AU prices f. 0. b factory, CHRYSLER Jeads not alone in style but in safety, ease of handling and value The Chrysler front elevation indicates the influence of the Exyptian lotus leaf motif—still found im all 13 pristine beauty on theruins of the great temples at Karnak. Modifed to its modern application, itis perfectly proportioned, and applied with consummate artistry In blending beauty and utility. Chrysler cars have not only this striking new style that re-styles all motor cars. but a superior ease and safety of performance and a facility of handling which make Chrysler cars in any phase of operation trouble-free and dependable. Because of this leadership in style, safety, performance and value, Chrysler motor cars are today inevitably in demand by people everywhere. Chrysler in- vites both your closest inspection and severest test. comicbooks.com