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The Curved Dash Oldsmobile

20 artifacts in this set

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The staff at The Henry Ford

In the early 1900s, automobiles were new and exciting. But many consumers were already demonstrating a preference for practicality and affordability. Olds Motor Works’ well-priced, reliable runabout was the bestselling car in America from 1902-1905.

Detailed Description

Building Contractor Albert A. Albrecht Seated in 1902 Curved-Dash Oldsmobile, circa 1920

Photographic print

Detroit contractor Albert Albrecht poses in a 1902 Oldsmobile. Twenty years after its debut, the Curved Dash Olds was an antique -- its tiller steering, chain drive and 4.5-horsepower engine hopelessly out of date. But the affordable Curved Dash had pointed toward a day when automobile ownership would be commonplace -- a day that had arrived by 1920.