“”Oldsmobile Automobiles””
The Olds Motor Vehicle Company was founded in 1897 by Ransom Olds in Lansing Michigan . In 1899 Ransom Olds opened Olds Motor Works in Detroit and began manufacturing of Oldsmobile Automobiles . His the first Olds automobile the ‘Curve Dash’ was the first mass produced automobile and sales of some 425 cars the first year made Olds the #1 automobile company of that time . In 1905 due to publicity from a song “In My Merry Oldsmobile” The name of the Olds Automobile was official changed to Oldsmobile .
_______________
Oldsmobile Motor Works was Purchased by William Durant and General Motors Corporation in 1908 . Ramsom left the company he
_______________
founded and later went on to found the REO Motor Car Company . Oldsmobile became the mid-luxury car sold by Chevrolet dealers .
In 1910 Oldsmobile brought out their ‘Limited Touring’ as a top model , with a price tag of over $4,500.00 it was more expensive than an ‘average’ house . In 1937 a semi-automatic transmission was available on the Oldsmobile and in 1940 the “Hydramatic” 4 speed automatic transmission came out . In 1949 Oldsmobile introduced the overhead valve V8 ‘Rocket’ engine . This very powerful engine ,for that time , and made Oldsmobile very popular . Oldsmobiles became very popular in stock car racing during the 50s . Through the 60s Oldsmobiles were big mid-luxury cars that had lots of power .
____________
The 88 was a luxury hot rod and the 98 was almost as luxurious as a Cadillac . And the 442 was a real Muscle Car . Olds brought out the front wheel drive Toronado in 1966 . During the 70s Oldsmobile sales were so high that there engine department could not supply engine fast enough . In some Delta 88 and Cutlass vehicles were fitted with Chevrolet 350 engines . This created a bad publicity and caused loss of sales for Oldsmobile and General Motors . Oldsmobile remained the mid-range car at Chevrolet dealers until it was replaced by the Buick built Saturn line . The last Oldsmobile made in April 2004 . During the 107 years of production Oldsmobile built over 35 million automobiles .
_______________
“”Overland Automobile””
The Overland Automobile Company began in 1903 . In 1908 the company was purchased by John Willys who made Overland automobiles until 1912 and then renamed the company Willys-Overland Motor Company . Years later Willys became part of American Motors and then of Chrysler .
Continued on Autos of America History page 10
__