Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).

1907 Dolson Model F background image

1907 Dolson Model F Touring

  • Chassis Number: 07-110
1907 Dolson Model F Navigation
The Dolson family was a successful wagon builder in Charlotte, Michigan, in the late 19th century. The company built its first car in 1902 and began full production in 1904. The cars were highly regarded for their fine mechanical features. They were also known for their early adoption of galvanized steel and copper sheet panels over wooden frameworks for the bodywork. Sadly, Dolson closed its doors in 1908 with an estimated production of just 700-800 cars.

This Dolson Model H Touring Car is the only known surviving example and one of the last automobiles produced by the company. It features a 55-60 horsepower L-head four-cylinder engine built by the Milwaukee Motor Company. Its dark green finish is an original color.

This car was one of the lucky ones saved from a scrap pile. It was moved from museum to museum before it was discovered by a group of auto enthusiasts from Charlotte. It then disappeared for a while before being shown at the Concours d'Elegance of America RM Auction in 2012. The Dolson now resides just two blocks from the original factory where it was built, carefully and lovingly preserved.
The Dolson automobile was produced from 1904 through 1907 and was based in Charlotte, Michigan. The company began building wagons during the late-nineteenth century. They built their first car in 1902 and began production in 1904. In 1906, the company's name was changed to Dolson Automobile Company. The cars were some of the early examples to adopt galvanized steel and copper sheet panel bodywork over the wood frameworks.

In the spring of 1907, the Dolson Automobile Company purchased the equipment of the St. Anne Kerosene Motor Company in hopes of expanding their business. Unfortunately, this only led to financial instability. Involuntary bankruptcy followed late in 1907. In 1909, the Charlotte factory was sold to the Duplex Power Car Company, a truck-building company. There were twenty-five Dolson cars in production when the company went under. Those vehicles were completed in the spring of 1908 by court order.

This 1907 Dolson Model F sold new for $3,250, plus an additional $125 for the top. The 55/60 horsepower four-cylinder, L-head engine was mated to a sliding gear three-speed manual transmission. The exterior color is dark green with black accents and mudguards over a bright red-orange frame and black pinstriped undercarriage and matching wood spoke wheels carrying white tires. The car is a right-hand drive example and is equipped with a folding soft top, black diamond-tufted leather upholstery, &J acetylene headlights, E&J kerosene cowl lamps, a firewall-mounted Solar acetylene generator, dual spares on the right-hand running board, a Rubes-style bulb horn, brass radiator, kerosene taillight, and a brass spoke, wooden-rim steering wheel. The car has been given a sympathetic restoration that retains the original leather upholstery.

In 2012, this car was offered for sale at the St. Johns Concours auction presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $80,000-$100,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $74,250 inclusive of the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2012

2012 RM Auctions - St. Johns, Michigan

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $80,000-USD $100,000 
Sale Price :
USD $74,250

Recent Sales of the Dolson Model F

(Data based on Model Year 1907 sales)
1907 Dolson Model F Seven-Passenger Touring
Sold for USD$74,250
  2012 RM Auctions - St. Johns, Michigan
1907 Dolson Model F image  1907 Dolson Model F image  

Dolson Model Fs That Failed To Sell At Auction

1907 Dolson Model F's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1907 Dolson Model F Touring 2011 Branson Collector Car Auction Oct 22, 2011$95,000  

Vehicles With Comparable Market Values

Similar sales to the $74,250 range.
1967 FORD BRONCO
Chassis#:U136LA43468
Sold for $74,800
2025 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach
1992 DODGE VIPER
Chassis#:1B3BR65E9NV100101
Sold for $73,700
2025 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach
2023 JEEP GLADIATOR RUBICON CUSTOM PICKUP
Chassis#:1C6JJTBG3PL581121
Sold for $73,700
2025 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach
2023 DODGE HEMI CHALLENGER SRT HELLCAT JAILBREAK CUSTOM CONVE
Chassis#:2C3CDZC9XPH593537
Sold for $74,800
2025 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach
1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 327/375 FUELIE CONVERTIBLE
Chassis#:194675S111311
Sold for $73,700
2025 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach
2014 Ford F150 SVT Raptor Roush Pickup
Chassis#:1ftfw1r69efb55723
Sold for $74,800
2025 Mecum : Houston
1971 Chevrolet C10 Cheyenne Pickup
Chassis#:cs141z600549
Sold for $74,800
2025 Mecum : Houston
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible
Chassis#:vc57s257534
Sold for $73,700
2025 Mecum : Houston
2022 Chevrolet Corvette C8.R Edition Coupe
Chassis#:1g1yc2d42n5111221
Sold for $74,800
2025 Mecum : Houston
1971 Chevrolet C10 Cheyenne Super Pickup
Chassis#:ce141a602367
Sold for $74,800
2025 Mecum : Houston
1968 Chevrolet C10 Pickup
Chassis#:ce148a122159
Sold for $73,700
2025 Mecum : Houston
1965 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
Chassis#:194675s107019
Sold for $74,800
2025 Mecum : Houston
2019 ASVE Factory Five Hot Rod Pickup Pickup
Chassis#:f5r1000066tr
Sold for $74,250
2025 Mecum : Houston
1965 Pontiac GTO
Chassis#:237375z118629
Sold for $73,700
2025 Mecum : Glendale
1904 Knox 16/18hp 'Touraine' Four-Passenger Stanhope
Chassis#:2369
Sold for $73,919
2025 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris
1967 Volkswagen Type 2 T1 Bus
Chassis#:247120714
Sold for $73,919
2025 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris
2007 Chevrolet 3500 Hodges Car Hauler
Chassis#:1gcjc33607f547645
Sold for $73,700
2025 Mecum : Kissimmee
2024 Ford Bronco Everglades
Chassis#:1fmee4hh6rla27042
Sold for $73,700
2025 Mecum : Kissimmee
2023 Dodge Challenger Swinger
Chassis#:2c3cdzfj1ph573912
Sold for $73,700
2025 Mecum : Kissimmee
1962 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
Chassis#:20867s106125
Sold for $73,700
2025 Mecum : Kissimmee

1907 Dolson Model F

Additional valuation insight and sales data
History
Specifications
Image gallery

1907 Dolson Model F Vehicle Profiles

1907 Dolson Model F vehicle information
Touring
Chassis #: 07-110

Vehicle information, history, and specifications from concept to production.