After the successful creation of the very first self-contained gasoline-powered carriage, partners Ransom Eli Olds, a manufacturer of stationary gasoline engines, and Frank Clark, the son of a small carriage shop operator, founded the Olds Motor Company in 1897. Their creation was a typical one-cylinder chain driven vehicle. Years later in 1901, America was shocked with the release of their new vehicle very different from other. This Olds vehicle featured a curved dash board very radical during that time, and quickly it became the most popular vehicle that can run 40 miles in one gallon of gasoline.
Soon enough, the popularity of engine run vehicle increased as the horse-drawn carriages diminished. This was a good break for Olds Motor Company to release some brand new models by the name Model S, the Olds first four cylinder car in 1906, followed by the Olds Limited in 1910 which is still very popular among antique car lovers today, and closed cabin Model 43 Roadster in 1914 and Model 37 in 1918.
With success in their hands, the Olds continue to release more models during the twenties. By mid-thirties, Oldsmobile and now a General Motors division released the very first automatic safety transmission. With every mans wildest imagination, designs and style have changed radically for the past four decades that completely change the way people move and travel.
At the height of the muscle car era, Oldsmobile released their own versions: the Oldsmobile 442 in 1963, and the Oldsmobile Tornado in 1966. The release of the 442 was prompted by the success of the Pontiac GTO. 442 possessed 330 cid V8 engine that rated 310 hp at 5200 rpm. The name 442 was derived from its features 4 barrel carburetor, 4 speed manual transmission, and dual exhausts. The Oldsmobile Tornado, on the other hand was an idea attempt to install the first front wheel drive in a full size American can since the mid 1930s. The tornado ran at a 425 V8 engine rated 385 hp. As the muscle car era drew its end in the seventies, Oldsmobile marked their 1millionth unit made in 1977.
Today, new Oldsmobile models incorporate technology and style. Models such as the Bravada, Aurora, Alero, Silhouette, Delmont, Lss, and Omega brought forth innovations to the industry. In 1997, Oldsmobile celebrated their 100th anniversary with a new logo and become Americas oldest motor company.
