Replica 1902 Oldsmobile Curved Dash Runabout

For Sale is my replica 1902 Oldsmobile Curved Dash Runabout.

The car was originally factory build by American Air Products Corp., of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida sometime between 1958 and 1962. American Air is no longer in business. The model was known as a “Merry Olds” and the serial number of this car is 381117. This company is noted for its production of some of the earliest forms of “Iron Lungs” used in the medical field for treatment of various illness including early Polio.

These replica cars were featured in the Sept. 1958 issue of Popular Mechanics Magazine which can be viewed on the internet.

It is almost an exact duplicate of the curved-dash Oldsmobile Runabout model, right down to the three speed transmission, tiller steering, chain drive, bicycle-style wheels and engine. . It is 93 inch and weights 425 pound. The car could originally be licensed for the street.

When originally built this replica car would have had a Clinton single cylinder air cooled L-head engine developing 4 horsepower. Originally it sold for $1495.00 fob Ft. Lauderdale in 1958.

Since I have owned it, the car has had an extensive restoration, with every single area of the car receiving attention to the point where it could be a “show” ready example needing nothing more than a new owner to enjoy it for many years to come.

During the restoration I have replaced the engine with a modern 7hp electric start Honda clone engine. This is a very dependable small engine with great parts availability and is easy to maintain and operate. Equipped with a modern exhaust and muffler it is fairly quiet as compared to the old style engines. It is roughly as loud as a small lawn mower.

The engine transfers power through the use of a “go-kart” type dry centrifugal clutch to a Cushman gearbox (rebuilt) that gives the car two forward gears (Low & High) and a single reverse gear. Power from the gearbox drives a chain driven rear axle.

The car has headlights and tail light and brake light. This replica is capable of speeds of 35 mph or more while getting over 60 miles per gallon of standard gasoline. It is painted in the standard Black high gloss color of the originals with some red and gold trim. The seat and back rest are upholstered in black vinyl.

The car is constructed of a marine plywood covered with metal, spring mounted body attached to a steel frame, and will seat two adults comfortably.

I have replaced all the front wheel bearings, as well as all the rear axle bearings, and many other parts. The car needs nothing it is “turn key” ready.

It’s great for parades or just riding the kids around the neighborhood. It would be a perfect vehicle for the many “Golf Cart” communities we have these days.

Please refer to the photos I have and contact me with any questions about the car. Car has no title and is sold with a bill of sale.

History of the Curved Dash Oldsmobile

The gasoline powered Curved Dash Oldsmobile is credited as being the first mass-produced automobile, meaning that it was built on an assembly line using interchangeable parts. It was introduced by the Oldsmobile Company in 1901 and produced through 1907. A total of 425 were produced the first year, additionally 2,500 were built in 1902, with over 19,000 built in all.

It was a runabout model, could seat two passengers, and sold for $650. While competitive, due to high volume, and priced below the $850 2-seat Ford Model C "Doctor's Car".

The flat-mounted water-cooled single-cylinder engine, situated at the center of the car, produced 5 hp (3.7 kW), relying on a brass gravity feed carburetor. The transmission was a semi-automatic design with two forward speeds and one reverse. The low-speed forward and reverse gear system were a planetary type. The car weighed 850 pounds and used Concord springs. It had a top speed of 20 mph.

The car’s success was partially by accident — in 1901 a fire destroyed a number of other models before they were approved for production, leaving the Curved Dash the only one intact.