1902 Oldsmobile Model R Curved Dash Runabout

Dr. James D. Nickleson acquired this Curved Dash Oldsmobile new in Wisconsin and retained it until 1908 when it was sold to Olaf Lund, who drove the car over 500 miles back to his home in Minnesota. In 1918, ownership passed to his brother Oscar who saved it from a scrapyard. The Curved Dash would remain in the Lund family until 1965 when it was acquired by State Senator Norm Larson, who sold it to its next owner Max Campbell.

Gary Hoonsbeen, the founder of the Curved Dash Olds Club, and later author of The Design History of the Single Cylinder Oldsmobile, acquired it in 1977. At the time, it was in original condition but the years of storage had not been kind and it required a restoration. Gary restored to the car to 'as new' condition over the next five years.

In 1985, Oldsmobile sponsored Gary on a recreation of the epic transcontinental journey from San Francisco to New York first completed by a curved dash in 1903. This was the Curved Dash that carried Gary on that journey.

This Curved Dash has a 95 cubic-inch single-cylinder engine that produces 7 horsepower at 600 rpm. It has a single-speed Planetary transmission, single mechanical drum brake on the axle, and full-length leaf spring suspension with solid axles.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2020