Description
1904 Oldsmobile 6C 7HP Runabout - VCC Dated
Registration No. BS8670
Chassis No. 21602
Engine No. 21602
VCC Dating Certificate No. 4169
Known as the 'Curved Dash' for obvious reasons, Ransom Eli Olds's gasoline-powered runabout was first offered for sale in 1901, following a fire at the factory that had destroyed every other prototype. 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. The Model 'R' runabout was powered by a single-cylinder, 1. 6-liter engine of 114x152mm bore/ stroke, mounted horizontally at the rear and producing 4½ horsepower at 600rpm. Later '6C' and 'B' models benefited from a more-powerful (7hp) 1. 9-liter engine, and all featured two-speed transmission and chain final drive.
Several improvements to the design were made during the course of production, but the engine's basic layout remained unchanged. Two mechanically operated overhead valves were set side-by-side at 90 degrees to the cylinder axis, and the rocker arms had roller ends. An ignition contact-breaker was mounted on the end of the camshaft, and sparks provided by a trembler coil.
The 6C model commenced sometime in March 1904 and was replaced in late 1905 by the Model B. The 6C featured noteable upgrades on the outgoing Model R, which consisted of an updated 7HP engine, rear wheel brakes in the form of expanding shoes within a drum (as well as the rear differential brake) and a larger diameter chassis tubing. These upgrades meant the cars were able to travel in excess of 30mph with respectable stopping power at the rear wheels.
The early history of this 1904 6C is unknown, although it is a car that is familiar to the Curve Dash Oldsmobile Club, which is very active, therefore plenty of investigation is there to be done. We do know however that it was purchased from a deceased estate in Baltimore, USA in March 2015, imported into the UK on May of that year and was stated to have been sat unused since 2008. The car was put forward to the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain in early 2019 as the custodian at the time wished to participate in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. The VCC subsequently dated the car as an excellent example of the 1904 6C variant and awarded the car a full dating certificate (No. 4169).
The car was sold by Tom Parrott in January 2024 to the current owners who wished to use the car for the same events. Upon their purchase, they commissioned NP Veteran Engineering LTD to undertake a full recommissioning of the car which included work to the Waterpump, inlet valves, carburettor, linkages, transmission bands as well as significant tuning of the engine. The results saw the car capable of a genuine 35mph with reliable stopping ability. During the current ownership the car has completed 2 London to Brighton runs, the circa 150 mile Yorkshire Veteran Car run and numerous VCC events, all of which have carried 2 passengers up all the hills without trouble.
The car is now offered for sale with Tom Parrott once again as the current ownership have other plans for 2026 and beyond. This Oldsmobile 6C is undoubtably the finest example available on the market and is ready to be enjoyed by new enthusiasts.
