Oldsmobile Model M

Oldsmobile Model M
Overview
Manufacturer	Oldsmobile
Production	1908
Model years	1908
Assembly	Lansing Car Assembly, Michigan
Chronology
Predecessor	Oldsmobile Model A
Successor	Oldsmobile Model X

The Model M was a four-seat passenger car produced by Oldsmobile in 1908, offered as a mid-range alternative to the Model R Curved Dash runabout that appeared in 1901, replacing the Model A.^[1] It was the junior sedan to the first six-cylinder sedan called the Oldsmobile Model Z also introduced in 1908, but was larger than the Oldsmobile Model X.^[2]

History

Oldsmobile Model M ad

The Model M was equipped with a side-valve, in-line 336 cu in (5,506 cc) four-cylinder engine developing 36 bhp. The engine was installed in the front, driving the rear wheels through a transmission shaft. The gearbox had three forward gears, with the gearshift lever positioned to the right of the driver.^[2] The limousine body style was replaced with the touring sedan which was more popular, while the retail price remained at US$2,750 ($89,925 in 2023 dollars ^[3]) It was entered in the Glidden Reliability Tour and won the competition.^[2]

The brake pedal engaged drum brakes on the rear wheels. The Model M had a wheelbase of 112 in (2,845 mm) and was offered as a five-passenger touring car or 4-door sedan. The previously offered 2-door Model H Flying Roadster was now given its own designation called the Model MR.^[2]

1,000 Model M were manufactured in 1908. It was replaced by the Model D in 1909; the roadster derivative was called the Model DR.

References

1. Georgano, G.N. (2000). Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile. London: HMSO. ISBN 1-57958-293-1.^{[page needed]}
2. Kimes, Beverly (1996). Standard catalog of American Cars 1805–1942 (third ed.). Krause publications. pp. 1061–1088. ISBN 0-87341-478-0.
3. 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.