1902 Oldsmobile Model R Curved Dash

The Olds Motor Works was established in 1897 by Ransom Eli Olds, in Lansing, Michigan. Olds had tested his first car, a steamer, in 1887, and a gasoline-fueled car soon followed. Capital for the Olds Motor Vehicle Works was provided by a wealthy lumber merchant, Samuel L. Smith. R.E. Olds began work on several different models, including electric vehicles.

On March 9th of 1901, the factory burned down. After this, Olds focused his attention on the surviving car, a gasoline runabout. It had a single-cylinder engine and a two-speed transmission. Series production of the Model R Curved Dash soon began and quickly became America's first volume car. It was high off the ground, simple and effective, with a buggy-like design and an elegantly curved dashboard, a term first applied to buggies to ward off the mud and manure thrown up by horses' hooves. With tiller steering and weighing a mere 850 pounds, they were easy to operate and looked familiar. The 'Curved Dash' received its name from its toboggan-like dashboard appearance. The design was familiar to many of the era, as buggies often had this feature to protect occupants from mud and manure thrown up by the horses' hooves.

The Oldsmobile Curved Dash Series R rested on a 66-inch wheelbase platform and was powered by a one-cylinder engine with a 4.5-inch bore and six-inch stroke. The 95 cubic-inch unit had two main bearings, mechanical valve lifters, a single carburetor (initially a mixer system which used a fuel pump; later, a gravity-fed floatless unit), and delivered around 5 horsepower at 600 RPM. The transmission was a Planetary two-speed unit (plus reverse) with the controls located to the right of the driver. The passenger sat on the driver's left-hand side. The power was transmitted to the rear wheels via a chain, the suspension used leaf springs on the solid axles, the braking was via a mechanical drum on the axle, and the tires were tubeless. Optional equipment included fenders, lights, and a top. Truss rods, an emergency braking system on the rear differential housing, were added to the axles mid-way through the 1902 year.

Olds sold 425 of the $650 cars in 1901, another 2,500 or so in 1902, and 3,924 in 1903. It is estimated that over 6,800 examples of the Model R were produced between 1901 and 1903, and additional variants followed through 1907. It was neither the most nor least expensive car on the market, but it did offer solid value for the money and was simple and effective.

by Dan Vaughan

Runabout
Engine number: 6966

Ransom Eli Olds founded the Olds Motor Vehicle Company of Lansing, Michigan on August 21st of 1897. It was the first company in Michigan organized solely for manufacturing and selling motor vehicles. He had tested his first car, a steamer, in 1887, and a gasoline-fueled automobile soon followed. In 1899, the Olds Motor Vehicle Works was capitalized by a wealthy lumber merchant named Samuel L. Smith, while Olds began work on developing several different models, including electric vehicles.

On March 9th of 1901, the Olds factory burned down. All that remained was a gasoline runabout, which is fondly remembered as the 'curved-dash' Oldsmobile. It had a single-cylinder engine with a spur-geared, two-speed transmission. The curved dash runabouts that followed were a good value, easy to operate, and would quickly become America's first volume car. In 1901, Olds sold 425 examples of the $650 cars, and the figures increased for 1902, rising to 2,500. In 1903, 3,924 examples were built. Production would continue through 1904.

This particular Olds is mostly original and unrestored cosmetically. The five-horsepower, water-cooled, single-cylinder has been rebuilt.

by Dan Vaughan

Runabout
Chassis number: 6579

This 1902 Oldsmobile Model R Curved Dash Runabout was given a restoration many years ago by George Green, an individual recognized as an authority on the Model R. The vehicle has tiller steering, a single-cylinder engine producing four and a half horsepower, and a wheelbase that measures 66-inches. There are Neverout brass kerosene headlights and a two-speed transmission and center chain drive.

The name 'curved dash' references the footboard which was directly transferred from the carriage designs. This feature protected the passengers from the dirt and mud thrown up by the horses' hooves.

In 2009, this Model R was offered for sale at the Automobiles of Amelia Island Auction presented by RM Auctions. The vehicle was estimated to sell for $50,000 - $70,000 and offered without reserve. Those estimates were proven accurate when the lot was sold for $51,700 including buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Runabout

This 1902 Oldsmobile Model R Curved Dash Runabout was given a restoration many years ago by George Green, an individual recognized as an authority on the Model R. The vehicle has tiller steering, a single-cylinder engine producing four and a half horsepower and a wheelbase that measures 66-inches. This car is fitted with Neverout brass kerosene headlights and a two-speed transmission with a center chain drive.

The name 'curved dash' references the footboard which was directly transferred from the carriage designs. This feature protected the passengers from the dirt and mud thrown up by horses' hooves.

The current owner acquired the car in 1986. The engine and transmission were rebuilt and the body painted in 2016.

Runabout
Chassis number: 8581270

This 1902 Oldsmobile 'Curved-Dash' is a Replica by Bliss from 1958. It has electric starting and lighting. It is upholstered in buttoned black vinyl and is fitted with the rear seat cushion. At some point, it was given a cosmetic restoration.

by Dan Vaughan

Runabout
Chassis number: 7883

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 Dan Vaughan

Runabout
Chassis number: 6640
Engine number: 6640

This 1902 Model R Runabout has been owned by its current caretaker since the early 1970s. It wears an older restoration that its present owner performed; the engine rebuild was by George C. Green. Since that time, Donald Mates has overseen mechanical maintenance.

This Olds has participated in numerous one- and two-cylinder tours, along with club activities and various events, by its present owner.

by Dan Vaughan

The Oldsmobile Model R Curved-Dash Runabout was a vehicle that was nearly snuffed from history before it was even introduced to the world. Ransom Eli Olds had experimented with steam and electric propulsion but ultimately decided on the internal combustion engine. His curved-dash model was completed in 1900 and ready for market in early 1901. However, a fire at the factory delayed the start of production with only one prototype rescued.

Production resumed shortly thereafter and the first runabout was available to the public in the late summer. The runabouts weighed a mere 650 pounds and sold for $650.

Power was from a horizontal single-cylinder engine placed under the seat and mated to a two-speed planetary transmission. Steering was by a center tiller and suspension was comprised of a long leaf spring on each side connecting the front and rear axles. The body was made of wood and attached to the top of the springs. Any rocking motion was eliminated by the small transverse full-elliptic springs in front. The following year, truss rods were added. Improvements were made throughout its lifespan, which lasted until 1907.

The cars were instantly popular, becoming the best selling motorcar in America in 1903.

by Dan Vaughan