1903 Curve Dash Oldsmobile Model R 5HP - VCC Dated

1903 Oldsmobile Model R 5HP - VCC Dated

Registration No. BS8268

Engine No. 15506

Chassis No. 15506

VCC Dating Certificate No. 2220

In 1901, the Oldsmobile car company in Michigan launched the Model R runabout. Powered by a 5HP Gasoline engine, the car was widely regarded as the worlds first mass produced vehicle. The Model R was introduced in 1901 and ended production in 1903. 425 cars were produced in 1901, 2500 in 1902 and many more moving forward.

The Model 'R' runabout was powered by a single-cylinder, 1. 6-litre engine of 114x152mm bore/ stroke, mounted horizontally at the rear and producing 5 horsepower at 600rpm. Later models benefited from a more-powerful engine, and all featured two-speed transmission and chain final drive. At first there was only a transmission brake, but experience soon showed that a mechanical brake on the rear axle was indispensable if the drive chain broke. Several improvements to the design were made during the course of production, but the engine's basic layout remained unchanged.

The early history of this particular ‘curved dash’ is relatively unknown, however it was said to have spent some time in Automuseum Deventer in Holland before being imported into the UK by a well known VCC Member. It was presented for dating before the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain in 1997 however by a Mr F Baker. Mr Baker kept the car in excellent fettle which is backed up by a large file of receipts and expenditure that the car has benefited from over the years. In 2007, ‘BS8268’ passed to a Mr D. Bishop.

The car has been seen on many London to Brighton Veteran Car runs in subsequent years and presents very well today, having last been serviced in June 2025.