By MICHAEL BUSHNELL
Northeast News
September 24, 2014

This marketing postcard was produced by the Oldsmobile Motor Company for Kansas City Motor Company located at 17th and McGee.

It was mailed to Miss Marian L. Carr of 4201 Holmes St. here in town. The card proclaimed all the benefits of driving a new Olds “60” sedan: “The Olds ’60’ sedan shown here… featuring Oldsmobile’s Rhythmic Ride, based on Quadri-Coil Springing with 4-Way Stabilization and Knee Action Wheels… can be delivered to you for as little as $923.75.” (“Coupe $850.00” is handwritten in below) “Before you buy any car, be sure you drive this sensational new low priced Olds.” “Mr. Douglas – HA [Harrison]-2277” is written below the KC Motor Co.’s address.

Knee-Action Wheels are a specific type of automotive front-wheel suspension that permits independent vertical motion of each wheel. The “Rhythmic-Ride” is based on the Hudson Motor Car’s introduction of radial safety control, which essentially suspends the front wheel from two bars, allowing for longer leaf springs. This type of suspension prevented bumps and hard braking from moving the car off course. The price of the car, according to Oldsmobile, included safety glass, bumpers and guards, a spare tire and tube, dual center control steering, handi-shift gear control, self-energizing hydraulic brakes, 90-horsepower econo-master engine, 100-percent full pressure lubrication, rifle drilled connecting rods, down draft carburetion, electro-hardened aluminum pistons, die-cast radiator grille, big streamlined trunks and body by Fisher.

Much like today’s marketing material produced by modern automakers, you need a master’s degree in engineering to figure it all out.