1931 Oldsmobile Model F31 Convertible Roadster

This 1931 Oldsmobile F-31 Series Sport Coupe was offered for sale at the 2007 RM Auctions held in Meadow Brook. The car is powered by a 197 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine capable of producing 65 horsepower. There is a three-speed selective sliding gearbox and duo-servo brakes. The wheelbase measures 112.5-inches and there are semi-elliptic leaf springs with a semi-floating rear axle.

Oldsmobile only sold one line of cars in 1931 and it was the F-31 Series. The six-cylinder engine featured a new intake valve porting and a Stromberg downdraft carburetor, manifold heat control, drop forged connecting rods, and cast grey iron pistons. The block was cast from close-grained chrome nickel alloy iron and the radiator was a Harrison cellular unit. The worm with three-tooth steering was adequate, and so were the duo-servo brakes. The DeLuxe package offered wooden or wire wheels, twin side-mounts, front and rear bumpers, and a trunk platform.

The Sport Coupe came with a rumble seat, a golf bag door, and a chromium-plated grille and shell. This example has been treated to a three-year restoration. It is finished in tan and brown with cream-colored wire wheels and whitewall tires. The interior is velour-like and is in good condition.

For 1931, Oldsmobile produced 47,279 vehicles making them eighth in the industry. 858 of those vehicles were Sport Coupes with wire wheels and 687 were Sport Coupes with wooden wheels.

At auction, the car was offered without reserve and estimated to sell for $20,000 - $30,000. The car was sold for just under the estimated value, fetching $18,700 after buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2007