Lansing, Michigan, U.S. Ransom Eli Olds (June 3, 1864 – August 26, 1950) was a pioneer of the American automotive industry, after whom the Oldsmobile and REO brands were named. He claimed to have built his first steam car as early as 1887 and his first gasoline-powered car in 1896.

How did Oldsmobile get its name?

Officially, the cars were called "Olds automobiles," but were colloquially referred to as "Oldsmobiles." It was this moniker, as applied especially to the Curved Dash Olds, that was popularized in the lyrics and title of the 1905 hit song "In My Merry Oldsmobile".

What killed Oldsmobile?

Oldsmobile. Another General Motors brand, Oldsmobile was founded as the Olds Motor Vehicle Company in 1897. Oldsmobile became a part of General Motors in 1908. ... General Motors shut down Oldsmobile in 2004 because of its unprofitability.

Is Oldsmobile and Buick the same?

GM adopted the Oldsmobile name and folded the company and its Buick line into what would become a collection of carmaking names with pioneering roots — Cadillac, Chevrolet and Pontiac among them.

Who is pioneer Ransom Olds?

OLDS, 86, AUTO PIONEER, DEAD; Maker of Oldsmobile and Reo Invented His First Gas Car in 1895 In Lansing, Mich. SOLD 1905 MODEL FOR $650 Decried High Prices of Today --Began Firm With $50,000, Producing 6 Vehicles in Year Two Cars Named For Him Decried Sale of Gadgets Ratchets on Rear Axle.

Oldsmobile 1942 Model Range

34 related questions found

Did Oldsmobile make an El Camino?

It's Chevrolet, Oldsmobile never made "El Camino" look-a-like.

Did Oldsmobile ever make a truck?

Through the years, the Oldsmobile truck line models had direct competition from Chevrolet and GMC truck line products. Throughout my research for this story, I have found that Oldsmobile trucks were manufactured in 1904-1908, 1918 -1924 and 1936-1939. ... A 1919 Oldsmobile Economy Truck that was turned into a fire truck.

What is an Oldsmobile Omega?

The Oldsmobile Omega is a compact car that was manufactured and sold from 1973 through 1984 by Oldsmobile. It was Oldsmobile's most affordable, entry level product sharing a platform within the GM brand names. ... 1973–1979 - rear-wheel-drive, related to the Chevrolet Nova.

Does Buick make Oldsmobile?

In 1908, Oldsmobile was the second brand, after Buick, to become part of the newly established General Motors (GM). ... However, in the decades that followed, sales began to decline, prompting GM to announce in 2000 that it would discontinue the Oldsmobile line with the 2004 models.

Who invented the Oldsmobile?

Ransom Eli Olds of Lansing, Michigan, founds Olds Motors Works—which will later become Oldsmobile—on August 21, 1897. Born in Geneva, Ohio, in 1864, Olds went to work for his family's machine-repair and engine-building business in 1883.

What does 442 stand for in the Oldsmobile 442?

Confusingly, the 442 (pronounced "four four two") did not have a 442-cubic-inch engine. Instead, the numerals indicated that the car had a four-barrel carburetor (atop a 330-cubic-inch V-8), a four-speed manual, and dual exhausts.

Does Lincoln still make cars?

For Lincoln, defining a new era of American luxury means killing off one of its most iconic cars. Lincoln announced last year that it would stop building the Continental and MKZ at the end of 2020. ... When they're gone, Lincoln will be left with an all-SUV lineup.

Why did GM stop making Pontiac?

The decision to eliminate Pontiac was made primarily due to the increasing threat of a bankruptcy filing if the June 1 deadline could not be met. On April 27, 2009, GM announced that Pontiac would be dropped and that all of its remaining models would be phased out by the end of 2010.

Did Buick make a version of the El Camino?

This Stupendous Buick Grand National El Camino Is Yours for $55,000. It's far from factory-stock, but it combines two of GM's best 1980s cars with 500 horsepower. GM's G-Body platform produced two of the coolest American cars of the 1980s–the Chevrolet El Camino and the Buick Grand National.

What is a Pontiac Fiero?

The Pontiac Fiero is a mid-engine sports car that was built by American automobile manufacturer General Motors from 1983 to 1988 for the 1984 to 1988 model years. ... It was the first two-seater Pontiac since the 1926 to 1938 coupes, and the first mass-produced mid-engine sports car by an American manufacturer.

What is the Pontiac version of the El Camino?

As General Motors stumbled into the Great Recession, Pontiac revived the Chevrolet El Camino, introducing the G8 ST (for “sport truck”) at the 2008 New York auto show. Sharing its powertrain with the G8 GT, the ST combined 361 horsepower, a six-speed automatic, and a lightly loaded rear axle.

What did Henry Ford invent?

Henry Ford was an American automobile manufacturer who created the Model T in 1908 and went on to develop the assembly line mode of production, which revolutionized the automotive industry. As a result, Ford sold millions of cars and became a world-famous business leader.

Did Henry Ford invent the assembly line?

Henry Ford did not invent the automobile. He didn't even invent the assembly line. But more than any other single individual, he was responsible for transforming the automobile from an invention of unknown utility into an innovation that profoundly shaped the 20th century and continues to affect our lives today.