It's Pebble Beach time again and a look through the online auction catalogs shows that there will be a few early vehicles offered for sale. RM Sotheby's has only one - a 1911 Oldsmobile Autocrat.
The Oldsmobile company was founded in 1897, and by 1904, Ransom E. Olds (the founder) had left the company that bore his name; divesting of his stock and starting REO. The Oldsmobile company became part of General Motors in 1908 - it's flagship brand.
In 1911 the Olds Autocrat (also known as the Series 28), was the largest 4-cylinder car offered by Oldsmobile that year. Further, one of the largest cars offer anywhere due to its 38 inch wheels and 500 cubic inches of engine displacement. Oldsmobile had taken a big turn from producing smaller, more affordable cars to offering the Special (4-cylinder) at $3000, the Autocrat (4-cylinder) at $3500, and the LImited (6-cylinder) for $5000 in 1911.
The RM Sotheby's catalog notes that this car was originally purchased by John Henry Greenway Albert, the benefactor of a wealth Maryland mining family. It's stated that Albert promptly went about modifying the new car's coachwork by installing a “boattailed” aluminum body of his own design... and then he went racing.
 |
1911 Olds Autocrat "Yellow Peril" - photo credit: RM Sotheby's
|
 |
| Olds Autocrat competing in Chicago reliability tour - photo credit: Motor Age Nov 2, 1911 |
 |
| 1911 Olds Autocrat - photo credit: from the author's collection |
EmoticonEmoticon