1918 Oldsmobile Model 45-A 7-Passenger Tourer

The Oldsmobile 45-A was available as a five or seven passenger touring car, a 2 door roadster, a three-passenger cabriolet, or a four-door sedan. Power was from a eight-cylinder engine that displaced 246 cubic-inches and produced nearly 60 horsepower. There was a three-speed sliding gear, selective transmission and two-wheel external contracting service brake.

During this era, Oldsmobile produced some of the largest and most powerful vehicles, including the impressive Limited and Autocrat. Though they were impressive, the company realized the need for a smaller, less expensive model that could be sold to a wider audience of buyers. By 1917, the product line was carefully refined to include the six-cylinder Model 37 on a shorter 112-inch wheelbase and the Model 45 Light Eight had a 120-inch wheelbase. Sales for 1917 doubled the levels of 1916 and while the Model 37 returned unchanged for 1918, the Model 45 lineup now included six models. By 1918, Oldsmobile had risen to eighth-place in the sales ranking.

This Model 45 A-T Seven-Passenger Touring Car is a brilliant example of the roughly 8,100 examples produced. The original owner of this car was George Werling of Pawnee, Illinois. Mr. Werling did not drive; rather, he had a chauffeur who drove it for him. Over a twenty-five year period, only 4,000 miles were put on the vehicle. Upon his death, the car was purchased in the 1940's by James Castel for $75 from the Werling estate. Recently, the car was purchased in August 1981 by Bob Heberer, with just 12,850 miles. The car was in great condition, yet a restoration was commissioned with work lasting from June of 1982 and completing in May of 1983. Currently, the car has 12,937 miles.

In 2009, this example was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $40,000 - $50,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the lot had been sold for the sum of $22,000 including buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2009