Oldsmobile Curved Dash

Oldsmobile Curved Dash was the first automobile series of the Olds Motor Works and is considered a first mass produced before the Ford Model T. The Curved Dash was the only model 1901-1904 the brand and also the best selling car in the world. The series includes the models produced successively R, 6C, B ​​and F. In 1906 there was also an Oldsmobile Straight Dash with straight front. The series was produced until 1907 and adjusted with no direct successor.

Prehistory

Under the brand Oldsmobile vehicles were manufactured in Lansing from 1897, first by the Olds Motor Vehicle Company which was founded on 21 August 1897. The auto industry has not moved ahead first and until in 1898 only a dozen vehicles. On 8 May 1899, the Olds Motor Works was founded.

Between 1899 and 1900 caused a further eleven prototypes, including electric vehicles. Was a large fire in the workshops on March 9, 1901, the existing prototypes were destroyed except for a small petrol car with a single-cylinder engine.

Technology

The Curved Dash had one under the driver's seat horizontally mounted, water-cooled single-cylinder four -stroke engine of 1,564 cc (3.3 kW) drew a power of 4.5 bhp at 600 min -1. The two main bearings holding the flywheel, the planetary gear and the clutch for the higher gear. A ball bearing attached to the chassis picked up a part of this burden. Another example of the multi-functionality of many components shown on the chassis; The oversized leaf springs are arranged longitudinally and at the same time form the side members of the chassis and the suspension. The axles are fixed to the ends of the springs. The track was front and rear 1423 mm.

The engine power is transmitted via a two-speed transmission and a single chain on the differential of the rear axle. The brake pedal had an outer band brake on the transmission. The carburetor has been served already by a built next to the brake pedal gas pedal (Otherwise, a hand lever was common ). The gear change (2 forward gears, 1 reverse gear ) was first accomplished via an externally mounted lever.

Was steered by steering lever ( " Shelf " ) from the right seat.

Year after year

The Olds Motor Works were among the first automotive company which their products are not only competed regionally but listings across the U.S. off. Moreover, the Curved Dash was demonstrated at fairs in the Midwest and the management knew quite well race record rides and other special occasions to use for themselves. The Oldsmobile Pirate record-breaking race car was derived from the Curved Dash.

In advertising, the slogan was "For a Oldsmobile all roads are equal " was used.

Model R (1901-1903)

Oldsmobile Model R (1902 )

It was the '' R'' model developed and still put on the market in the summer of 1901. As Curved Dash it became very popular quickly.

It was a runabout with wooden body, two seats and an unusually curved front of the vehicle. This peculiarity gave the car the name " Curved Dash ". If desired, they could be equipped with a third seat that was mounted opposite to the direction of travel behind the seat and an adult or two children had room. Other options were a hood, various lights and fenders.

The R model only has a transmission brake. It is therefore easy to identify from the other models in the series by the lack of brake drums. The car was standard 3 " wire spoke wheels with low-pressure tires with 28 x - similar to a bicycle - equipped. But customers could choose between seven different wheel variants, including wooden spoke wheels. Hood and fenders cost separately.

The only available color combination was black for the body with cherry red accents and gold trim lines on body, chassis and wheels.

In three years, created about 6,850 cars.

Model 6C (1904 )

Oldsmobile Model 6C (1904 )

In April 1904, the successor was presented. The car looked similar, but had been improved in many ways. He was slightly taller and had a larger engine. The single cylinder lying had 1,931 cc and developed 7 bhp (5.1 kW) at 600 min -1. He got a new carburetor from Holley. Instead of the single outer band brake on the gear there are now two of the two rear wheels. Located in the model year, the series was changed to the better acting drum brakes. Wooden spoke wheels of unchanged size were now standard equipment, also all the wheels were now fitted as standard with mudguards.

The wooden body was still painted black, the accents were now bright red. It seems that even some dark green vehicles have been delivered with red accents.

About the separation of the model and future model policy argument arose between RE Olds and his financiers Samuel L. Smith and his sons Frederick and Angus followed by Olds withdrew from the company.

After 2,234 copies, the model 6C in December 1904 has been set.

Models B (1905-1906) and R (1907)

Oldsmobile Model B (1905 )

The Model B was released in January 1905 and was again significantly improved. In particular, parts of the drive were strengthened. The engine received improved cooling, and a new flywheel. The handbrake now looked to the differential rather than on the transmission; this otherwise corresponded to that of the model 6C. Whereas with the predecessors of the axes were suspended on the tips of a spring element, the leaf springs have now been modified so that the axes were connected to all the spring elements; The axes have been strengthened. In 1906 the car as standard weather protection with celluloid windows.

In addition to the " Curved Dash " the "Straight Dash " was released with an upright, smooth front panel.

During a production of about 6.500 for all models (including Touring Runabout, Light Tonneau and Touring Side Entrance ) is known for 1905, 1906 only 100 vehicles were on the model B, partly as Curved Dash, partly as a straight Dash made ​​.

1907, essentially unchanged model B was offered as a model F. The technical data correspond to those of the previous year model. How many of the products in this year 1200 Oldsmobile Model F were from, is not known.

Pricing

The list price of U.S. $ 650 for the base model could be kept for the whole production time. Only in 1904 he was briefly raised to U.S. $ 675. The aforementioned weather protection of model B was added to the Auto Show in New York in November 1906 in the basic equipment. At this time, the curved Dash was virtually no longer advertised. Curved Dash and Straight Dash were offered at the same price.

1908 cost the cheapest Oldsmobile with U.S. $ 1,900 about three times the Curved Dash. This high-price policy brought the Olds Motor Works in trouble.