- America's favorite 'Curved-Dash' Olds
- Quality restoration of an early motoring icon
- Well-documented history
After experimenting with steam and electric propulsion, Ransom Eli
Olds switched to internal combustion. His light runabout, the famed
curved-dash model, was completed in 1900 and ready for the market
early in 1901. A fire in the factory delayed the start of
production, so cars didn't reach the public until late summer. The
650-pound vehicle sold for $650.
Propelled by a horizontal single-cylinder engine under the seat, it
had a two-speed planetary transmission and driver controls on the
right, with steering by center tiller. The chassis design was
elegant. A long leaf spring on each side connected the front and
rear axles. The wood body attached to the top of the springs, and a
small transverse full-elliptic spring in front damped out any
fore-aft rocking motion. Truss rods were added to the axles in
1902. The car's popularity grew and grew, surpassing the steam
Locomobile as America's best-selling car in 1903. Curved-dash
models remained in production through 1907, by which time they had
been joined by a straight-dash model and cars as large as a
106-inch-wheelbase four.
This Model 6C CDO was registered by Albert Karras of Elk Creek,
Nebraska, on 7 August 1905 and issued medallion number 441 by the
Nebraska Secretary of State. Although the registration was only
renewed through 1910, the medallion is still on the car. It was
acquired by the Merrick Collection in 1993 from Alfred Bongers of
Grand Blanc, Michigan.
Meticulously restored in black with red accents, it has the iconic
Oldsmobile emblems on the sides of the seat and the obligatory
brass Selden Patent plate on the rear of the body. The seat is
upholstered in diamond-pattern buttoned black leather, and the
entire car is clean as a whistle. There are many curved-dash
Oldsmobiles about, but few of this quality and documented
history.To view this car and others currently consigned to this
auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/hf19.
