Curved Dash Olds
Written by Bill Bowman
Oldsmobile introduced the Curved Dash Olds in 1901. The car was named for the unique shape of the footboard and R.E. Olds built 425 that year, making them the first “mass produced” gasoline engine autos in the world. The Curved Dash went on to become the most popular car of the period. All Curved Dash models featured tiller steering and a seat side crank for starting. The cars were powered by a single cylinder 4.5 bhp engine. The 95.4 cubic inch engine turned at 500 rpm and was said to emit one chug per telegraph pole. Options on the 650-lb., $650.00 car included a 2-passenger rear-facing seat ($25), mudguards or fenders ($10), top ($50 for leather, $25 for rubberized fabric) and wooden spoke wheels ($25) to replace the standard bicycle-type wire wheels. The cars were typically delivered to the owner by train, often with a sales representative onboard to present it personally.
Due to a 1901 fire at the factory, the Curved Dash was Oldsmobile’s only model for 1902. Out of desperation, R.E. Olds created the supplier/subcontractor system, which remains in use today. Output was significantly greater at an estimated 2,500 units. For 1903, there were an estimated 4,000 units built, more than any other American manufacturer produced. One of them was driven coast to coast in 73 days.
1904 saw changes to the engine. A larger bore brought engine output up to a 7 horsepower total. In 1905, a pair of 7-horsepower Curved Dashes - Old Scout and Old Steady - drove coast to coast in 44 days. By that time R.E. Olds had relinquished control of the company to form REO Motor Car Company.
In 1908, Oldsmobile, which was in severe financial trouble, was sold to William Durant, for $17,279.00 and $3 million in GM stock and became a division of the General Motors Company.
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