Description
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford/ Cambridgeshire
9th October, 2024 13:00
1902 Oldsmobile Model R 'Curved Dash' 4½hp Runabout
London to Brighton run eligible runabout that was previously part of the Ward Brothers' collection
Estimate
£40, 000 - £50, 000
Registration No: BS 8718
Chassis No: 6966
MOT: Exempt
A well maintained example of the London to Brighton eligible 'Curved Dash' Model R with VCC dating certificate
Previously part of the esteemed Ward Brothers' Collection
Subject to recent works to the gearing belts and fitment of a Holley NH carburettor for better running
Named after its distinctively shaped footboard, Ransom Eli Olds' gasoline-powered runabout, known as the 'Curved Dash' Oldsmobile was introduced in 1901. Featuring a water pump, trembler coil ignition and overhead valves, its advanced rear-mounted single-cylinder engine was allied to two-speed planetary transmission. Displacing some 1. 6 litres (later 1. 9 litres), the eager powerplant was reputed to develop 4½ horsepower at 500rpm and to emit one chug per telegraph pole. Designed to negotiate unmade roads, the Oldsmobile's sturdy yet lightweight chassis featured so-called 'Concorde' leaf springs and tiller steering. While, the two brakes provided acted on the transmission and differential respectively. Over 11, 000 of the three Curved Dash models ('R', '6C' and 'B') were constructed before production ceased in 1907, making it the first volume produced American automobile.
Understood to have first been registered in 1902 in New York City, chassis 6966 stayed in the United States of America all the way until 2019, until it was purchased by the Ward Brothers and imported to the UK around this time. When it arrived in the UK, the Oldsmobile was registered with the DVLA with the registration number 'BS 8718' and was then submitted for a VCC Dating Certificate, which it acquired on the 6th July 2021 and has the reference number 4276/ 2021. The vendor acquired the veteran runabout from the Ward Brothers by renowned Veteran Car Dealer, Tom Parrott, earlier in 2024 for his family to run the London to Brighton run and has recently performed works to the gear cones as it had previously been difficult to select gears, fitted a new Holley NH Carburettor and Aluminium Fuel Tank. The vendor has now decided to sell the Oldsmobile after only a short period of ownership, as his family are more interested in running with him in his De Dion Bouton. Having been in the United States for such a significant amount of time, 6966 has never run the London to Brighton Veteran Car run, so the new owner would have a good opportunity to debut the car there.
Upon inspection, the vendor kindly started the single-cylinder power unit and it appeared to run very well indeed, with the vendor commenting that it has always been an easy starter and runs 'very well' indeed. Although the paint is non-original upon the wooden bodywork, it has aged delightfully and wears an attractive patina in keeping with the age and organic feeling of its material. The runabout is still running a 'trembler' coil ignition system, which the vendor advises he has re-fitted to all of his veteran motor cars due to issues with points units previously - and advises that this works sublimy on this example.
Offered for sale complete with a full hood unit as pictured, the Curved Dash Oldsmobile is one of the cheapest routes to London to Brighton eligibility and a solid investment given the recent surge in interest in participating in the run. It comes supplied with a modest history file complete with its UK V5C, import documents and the all important original copy of its VCC dating certificate.
