The base price for a 1914 Ford Motel T Runabout was $440, but for double that amount plus $110 aspirational Lucas Countyans could travel in considerably more style --- in a 1914 Overland.
The new Overlands were introduced in Chariton during August of 1913 by C.O. McNeer and Bert Vaughn at their Blue Grass Auto Station --- located on North Main just north of the northwest corner of the square.
The introduction brought joy to the hearts --- in the form of half-page newspaper ads --- of the publishers of both The Chariton Leader and The Herald-Patriot. That joy overflowed onto the front pages of those publications --- in the form of promotional stories. Here's the text of the story that promoted the advertisement, both from The Herald-Patriot of Aug. 28:
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On the next page of today's paper will be found an announcement of the Blue Grass Garage concerning the new 1914 cars. Special emphasis is placed upon the value received for money expended in the purchase of an Overland car and statements are made by Messrs. McNeer and Vaughn which are supported by users of the Overland auto wherever found.
For the money expended, there seems to be a very general belief that no better car than the Overland is made. For those who want the higher priced cars, however, the Blue Grass Auto concern has both the Chalmers and the Cadillac, cars which cannot be surpassed. To intending purchasers the caution is given that orders should be placed early for the supply of cars cannot keep pace with the demand. Read the advertisement in this and the papers of next and other weeks.
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Notice that if an Overland wasn't aspirational enough, new Cadillacs and Chalmers also could be purchased at the Blue Grass Garage. The list price for your basic Cadillac four-door touring car, phaeton or two-door roadster was $1,975.
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