1903 Oldsmobile Model R Curved Dash Runabout

The Olds Motor Vehicle Company was founded in August 21st of 1897 in Lansing, Michigan by Ransom Eli Olds. This was the first automobile company in Michigan organized solely for manufacturing and selling motor vehicles. Olds first car, a steam, was built in 1887 and was soon followed by a gasoline version. The Olds Motor Vehicle Works was capitalized in 1899 by a wealthy lumber merchant, Samuel L. Smith.

On March 9th of 1901, the factory burned down. Olds turned his attention to the surviving car - a gasoline runabout. The Curved Dash featured a single-cylinder engine and had a spur-geared, two-speed transmission. The engine offered 4.5 horsepower at 600 RPM and was capable of a top speed of 20 mph. The Curved-Dash Oldsmobile soon became America's first volume car. With a price of $650, Olds sold 425 examples in 1901 followed by approximately 2,500 in 1902. For 1903, the company built 3,924 examples and production continued through 1904.

This particular example was part of the Paul Teutul Jr. collection. It is an original and unrestored example. It is believed to still wear its original paint along with later advertising where it was likely shown in an auto dealer's showroom.

This Olds is currently not in running condition.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2017