Tag: OLDSMOBILE

Oldsmobile cars were first produced at Olds Motor Works in Lansing, Michigan, founded by Rance Olds in 1897. In 1901 the company produced 425 cars, becoming the first manufacturer of gasoline cars of large volume.

For several years “Olds Motor Works” was leading in the U.S. by the number of sold cars. At a time of financial difficulties, Ransom Olds left the company and founded another one, REO Motor Car Company.

The last Olds cars were produced in 1907, after which the company was bought out by General Motors Corporation in 1908.

Between 1901 and 1904, the Curved Dash was the first mass-produced car assembled on the first automated assembly line, the invention of which is mistakenly attributed to Henry Ford.

After Olds sold his company in 1899, it changed its name to Olds Motor Works, and the factory moved to Detroit. By March 1901, the company had an entire lineup ready for production, but due to the negligence of a worker at the factory there was a fire that destroyed the factory completely, and all the finished prototypes died with it.

The only surviving vehicle was the Curved Dash prototype, which was taken out by two factory workers after the fire started. A new plant was built, and production of Curved Dash began.

Officially the cars were called “Olds automobiles”, but in a conversational speech they were called “Oldsmobiles”. This nickname mainly referred to the model Curved Dash and became famous thanks to the popular song “In My Merry Oldsmobile” in 1905.

The 1910 Limited Touring model was the top one for the company. With 42-inch wheels with “factory” white rubber, Limited was the most prestigious model in the Oldsmobile range. Limited was sold at a price of $4,600, which corresponded to the cost of a large house with three bedrooms.

For their money, customers received a cabin trimmed with goatskin, 60 hp ordinary “six” of 11.58 liters, a starter Bosch Magneto, running boards and a five-seater cabin. Speedometer, watch and a solid windshield were also available as options.

The limousine version cost $5,800. Only about 725 Limited cars were sold in three years, but most of all this model is remembered for winning the race against the famous 20th Century Limited train of that time.