1904 Oldsmobile Light Tonneau

The Oldsmobile Company was founded in Lansing, Michigan on August 21st of 1987 by Ransom E. Olds. They were the first company in Michigan organized solely for manufacturing and selling motor vehicles. When the company went out of business in 2004, they were the oldest surviving American automobile marque and one of the oldest in the world. During their 107 year history, they produced 35.2 million cars, including at least 14 million built at their Lansing, Michigan factory.

It wasn't until the factory burned down on March 9th of 1901 that Olds focused his attention on the surviving car, a 'curved-dash' gasoline runabout powered by a single-cylinder 4.5 horses power engine fitted with a spur-geared two-speed transmission. These vehicles were well-made, simple to operate, and offered a top speed of 20 mph. By 1903 it was the best-selling car in America.

In 1904, Oldsmobile added the touring runabout, nicknamed the 'French front' for its handsome hood and front radiator. While suggesting a front engine, it merely housed tanks for fuel and water. The brass radiator cooled the engine, which was mounted horizontally under the seat. This was the first Olds with a steering wheel and it was larger than the curved-dash riding on 13-inch longer wheelbase with seating for two. The optional rear-entry tonneau increased seating to four.

Sold for $60,500 at 2016 Bonhams : Quail Lodge.
The Curved Dash Oldsmobile had been a booming success, and it was followed by an even larger and more upscale product. It had a more European appearance with a brass radiator with louvered hood. The two body styles proposed for 1904, a Touring Runabout and a Light Tonneau, were the first Olds to feature a steering wheel. The Touring Runabout rested on a 10-inch longer wheelbase than the curved-dash Model 6C, had a sloping rear deck, and offered seating for two. The Light Tonneau was a further 8-inches in length than the Touring Runabout, with an extra two seats which were detachable, giving the option of 2 or 4 seat configuration.

Buyers had the choice of dark red or dark green, and brass side lamps included in the $850 price for the Touring Runabout. The Light Tonneau, when fully equipped with its rear seat option cost $950. Power was from the same engine found in the curved-dash model, featuring pressure-feed lubrication and jump-spark ignition. The Light Tonneau had a slightly larger bore of 5.5-inches.

This particular example was discovered in the Pacific Northwest in the 1980s by Gerald Luckow. Mr. Luckow treated the car to a restoration. The current owners, who have cared for it the last five years, refurbished its cosmetics in period correct red scheme and French pleat upholstery.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2016