Tuesday, December 02, 2014

"Old Scout" a curved dash Olds, seen here at the Ryan Airfield on Dutch Flats


detail in a photo I posted yesterday... http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2014/11/ryan-aircraft-and-flying-school-san.html   Dutch Flats was one of several air fields in San Diego harbor's northern rim area, and is currently under the Midway Post Office.

Where "Old Scout" is, is a mystery. This photo was taken in November 29th, 1931. That curved dash Olds was about 30 years old

BUT~ Steve had yet to see a challenge he can't beat when it comes to cars!

so he emailed me these with the info:

Here's a shot of Ransom Eli Olds himself at the tiller of the very same Old Scout, before it went on to win the first Transcontinental Race from Columbus Square in New York to Portland, Oregon. The race was between two identical 1905 7 hp Oldsmobile Standard Runabouts, Old Steady and Old Scout.

below image from http://www.autonews.com/article/20080914/OEM02/309149894/publicity-savvy-ransom-olds-used-road-trips-to-build-a-famous-brand
Due to a 1901 fire at the factory, the Curved Dash was Oldsmobile’s only model for 1902. Out of desperation, R.E. Olds created the supplier/subcontractor system, which remains in use today.

For 1903, there were an estimated 4,000 units built, more than any other American manufacturer produced. One of them was driven coast to coast in 73 days.

 1904 saw changes to the engine. A larger bore brought engine output up to a 7 horsepower total.

In 1905, a pair of 7-horsepower Curved Dashes - Old Scout and Old Steady - drove coast to coast in 44 days. By that time R.E. Olds had relinquished control of the company to form REO Motor Car Company.

 In 1908, Oldsmobile, which was in severe financial trouble, was sold to William Durant, for $17,279.00 and $3 million in GM stock and became a division of the General Motors Company.

Below: Old Steady and Old Scout in Wyoming, 1905


above from http://www.wyomingtalesandtrails.com/lincoln.html

original factory map shows route from Portland to New York of the Oldsmobile Old Scout and Old Steady during the May 8 - June 21 1905 endurance run . This map was printed by GM in the 1950's


there are a couple places to read about it, all via Google Books, and this is just the first page of 5 pages, 3 of text, 2 of photos


http://books.google.com/books?id=3D4-AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA299&lpg=PA299&dq=Old+Steady+and+Old+Scout&source=bl&ots=EOL-Ue9nY-&sig=zak5aJrFbJXkOVfYKBjXTgARM-E&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Ntp_VKP9K8P9yQS89ILwBQ&ved=0CDYQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=Old%20Steady%20and%20Old%20Scout&f=false


http://books.google.com/books?id=274AAAAAMAAJ&pg=RA3-PA7&lpg=RA3-PA7&dq=Old+Steady+and+Old+Scout&source=bl&ots=liSLzkH9jQ&sig=YuhbtuPEu0em70pQv-Tgks7AJlI&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Ntp_VKP9K8P9yQS89ILwBQ&ved=0CDIQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=Old%20Steady%20and%20Old%20Scout&f=false



Automotive Industries, Volume 12 Page 622 http://books.google.com/books?id=tRVaAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA622&lpg=PA622&dq=Old+Steady+and+Old+Scout&source=bl&ots=4Zip5lHi38&sig=oK4YRxYy_Fice2A3O731skLHsRU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Ntp_VKP9K8P9yQS89ILwBQ&ved=0CCwQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=Old%20Steady%20and%20Old%20Scout&f=false


page 579, the Motor Way http://books.google.com/books?id=KHjmAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA579&lpg=PA579&dq=Old+Steady+and+Old+Scout&source=bl&ots=d7ScaLvQv3&sig=7a4qrphWaLvwVvE5tOA7VTYBu_w&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Ntp_VKP9K8P9yQS89ILwBQ&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=Old%20Steady%20and%20Old%20Scout&f=false


Motor Age http://books.google.com/books?id=y6cAAAAAMAAJ&pg=PP93&lpg=PP93&dq=Old+Steady+and+Old+Scout&source=bl&ots=t4o3eKF3tG&sig=oBaAAZR8ZYM_ZvdnTFbvkTFrKZo&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Ntp_VKP9K8P9yQS89ILwBQ&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=Old%20Steady%20and%20Old%20Scout&f=false

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