Owning a classic car is necessary for every car enthusiast in this modern day and age, but what about a true vintage vehicle? Today, what we have on sale is a car from the last century, a 121-year-old Oldsmobile Model R Runabout, Also known as the ‘Curved Dash’, this gasoline-powered marvel is hailed as the pioneer of mass production in the automotive industry in 1901, meaning it was the first to be built on an assembly line using interchangeable parts. This pristine 1903 Oldsmobile Model R Runabout Curved Dash, preserved in its original and authentic state, awaits in Ohio, offering a rare opportunity to possess not just a relic of automotive history but also a cherished slice of human history.

Exterior and Interior

This 1903 Oldsmobile Model R Runabout comes with a top-up configuration to shade you from the heat if you dare to depart on an early 20th-century adventure. White rubber tires, reminiscent of a bygone era, perfectly complement the black exterior. Atop leaf springs sit a straightforward body, with its iconic toboggan-style dashboard giving the model its memorable alias. Steering was accomplished through a tiller, bestowed upon this Oldsmobile a driving experience distinct from cars built even a decade later. Brass lamps that have been equipped as headlights and taillights showcase our automotive technology of the 1900's. The "interior", or just a luxurious bench put on a set of four wheels, has kept original with red accents throughout the minimal bodywork, adding a pop of color and character.

Engine

At the heart of the vehicle is the original flat-mounted single-cylinder 95ci engine, cooled with water. It produces a modest 5hp, drawing fuel through a brass gravity feed carburetor. The original transmission, which features a semi-automatic configuration, offers two forward gears and one reverse gear, utilizing a planetary-type (epicyclic) system for the low-speed forward and reverse motion. Both front and rear boast sturdy solid axles, while the power of the rear wheels is transferred through the original chain drive. Tipping the scales at 850 pounds and supported by Concord leaf springs, this Oldsmobile Curved Dash achieves a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour, adequate for the 1900s.