Oldsmobile 100 Years Of Industry Firsts
By Fei Lim

The Oldsmobile Company was funded by Ransom E. Olds in 1987, and continued making both luxury, and mainstream cars right up until 2004. With an incredible 107 year history, the Oldsmobile Motoring Company produced 35.2 million cars in this time, was the oldest surviving American car making company in America, and the third oldest in the world after Daimler, and Peugeot.

Oldsmobile History
In 1897 the Olds Motor Vehicle Company, situated in Lansing Michigan produced the first line of Oldsmobile cars. The year 1901 was a big year for the company when they produced over 400 cars, making them the first ever high volume car maker, the company went on to become the top car selling company in the US for a few years running after this. Ransom Olds left the Oldsmobile Company, and it was taken control of by General Motors.

Oldsmobile Firsts
From the beginning, the Oldsmobile cars were a luxury car marketed with technical sophistication in mind. The company had many firsts, which made them a well known name throughout their century long existence, including:

1. 1893, when they were the first American company to export an automobile,
2. In 1901 Oldsmobile were the first company to introduce speedometers to their cars,
3. Oldsmobile were the first car company to introduce chrome plating to their cars in 1926.
4. In 1932 they produced the first automatic choke for an automobile,
5. 1940 was the year Oldsmobile introduced the first Hydramatic Drive, which was a fully automatic transmission,
6. In 1949 they produced the rocket engine, which was a high compression OHV V8,
7. In 1974 Oldsmobile were the first American company to use drivers-side airbags,
8. In 1996 Oldsmobile were the first car company to offer a GPS based navigation system in their GuideStar cars,
9. In 1997 the Oldsmobile Company turned 100, which made it the first American car company to reach this age.

Oldsmobile Models Of Note
• The Curved Dash: Built in1901-1904, the curved dash was the first mass produced, and exported car selling for $650.
• The Limited Touring: The Limited was Oldsmobile's most prestigious model car, and sold for US $4,600, which was about as much as a 3-bedroom house cost in those days.
• Oldsmobile 88: was produced from 1949-1999, and had an overhead valve, high compression Rocket V8
• Turbo Jetfire: built in 1962, was the first turbo engine
• Vista Cruiser: A station wagon well known for its glass roof.
• 442 Muscle Car: Which was in between GM's F-85, and Cutlass models
• Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme: A luxury car similar to the Pontiac Grand Prix, produced from 1967-1997.
• Oldsmobile Toronado: Luxury coupe, which was awarded motor trend car of the year in 1966.
• Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera: popular mid-size car produced from 1982-1996.
• Oldsmobile Starfire: Brought out in 1971 and remained until 1992, the Starfire was a full-sized station wagon.
• Oldsmobile Acheiva: compact sedan, and coupe, brought out in 1992, and continued production through to 1998.
• Oldsmobile Aurora: Brought out in 1995, and continued production through to 2003, the Aurora was a luxury sedan.
• Oldsmobile Bravada: The Bravada was a SUV, brought out in 1991, and ceased production in 2004.
• Oldsmobile Silhouette: This Mini van was brought out in 1990, continued production until 2004.
• Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight: Began production in 1949, and continued right through to the end of the 90's. The Eighty-Eight was a popular full-sized sedan.

In December 2000, GM announced to the public that they were phasing out the Oldsmobile cars. 2002 was the last year that Oldsmobile produced a new model car, which was the Bravada. Between 2002-2004, Oldsmobile ceased production of the Intregue, Aurora V6, Aurora V8, Bravada, Silhoette, and Alero models.

The final 500 Aleros, Auroras, Bravadas, and Intrigues to be produced by Oldsmobile were given special markings, and emblems called the "Final 500" models. One of the significant markings was their cherry red paint finish.

The last production day for the Oldsmobile Company was in April 29th 2004, and the final car to roll off of production lines was an Alero GL 4-door sedan. All of the assembly workers signed their names on the car, and it is now on display at the R.E Olds Transportation Museum in Lansing.

Even though Oldsmobile no longer produces automobiles, it will always retain its reputation for being the oldest auto company, with the most motoring 'firsts' in its technical innovations, as well as the tremendous popularity, and sales during the 70's and 80's.