Models T, N, & B

A review of the serial numbers indicates that several body style were manufactured during this period. The earliest serial numbers (25000 to 29999) which were known as Light Tonneau and called Model T, the next group of numbers (30000 to 34999) which were known as Touring Runabout and called Model N, and serial numbers over 35000 to 50000 the traditional curved dash, the Model B.

Model B

Year: 1906 -07
Model designation: B
Seating capacity: Two persons
Wheelbase: 66 inches
Tires" 28x3 inches
Gasoline capacity: five gallons
Engine: bore stroke 5x6 (cylinder head behind driver facing rearward)
Steering: By tiller on right side
Production: 700 (approximate)
Original price: $650
Serial Numbers: 35000 thru 52999 (not sequential)

The Model B was offered with the "traditional" curved dash body style. The Model B used wooden, 12 spoke artillery wheels. The picture of the engine shows it quite similar in concept to the Model 6C, but numerous minor differences can be spotted under careful examination. Similarly the chassis follows the same lines as the Model 6C, note the more complex mechanism controlling the high speeds clutch. Other detail changes can be viewed in the gear lever and the starting engagement mechanism.

The view of the factory, supposedly taken in 1905, seems rather empty, certainly not the hustle that occurred in the high production days of 1902-03. The anomaly of the picture being supposedly taken in 1905 of a Model B, yet the Model B starts with serial number 50,000 and those are credited to 1906, has yet to be explained. Just why the Oldsmobile factory re-designed the CDO in first in 1904 and again in 1905/6 is unexplained as the car was essentially obsolete when introduced, as most other manufacturers had switch to a minimum of two cylinder engines and steering wheel. Of course by 1905 Oldsmobile new management wanted to move the company into selling much larger and expensive automobiles. This policy failed and Oldsmobile became part of Billie Durant's General Motor conglomerate.

1906 Photo

The 1906 Model B shown above (s/n 50131) is owned by Jim Walkinshaw who with Helen Jones Early, authored the classic history of Oldsmobile "Setting the Pace". Helen was in the PR group at Oldsmobile for many years, she personally collected much of the literature that is now prized by collectors. It was she who cajoled Oldsmobile to give the "seed" money to start the CDO Club. When she retired from Oldsmobile in 1987, she started a second career which later became the Oldsmobile/GM Heritage Center. She retired (again) in 2000 and assisted Jim with their second book, "Oldsmobile A War Pictorial". She passed away in January 2005, she will be missed by all Oldsmobile enthusiasts.

Light Tonneau - Model T

Years: 1906-07
Model Name: Light Tonneau
Model designation: Model T
Seating capacity: Four persons
Wheelbase: 82 inches
Tires: 30x3 inches
Gasoline capacity: seven gallons
Engine: bore stroke 5x6 (cylinder head under drivers feet facing forward)
Steering: Steering Wheel on right side
Production: unknown
Original price: $950
Serial Numbers: 25000 thru 29999 (not sequential)

This new model used a revised version of the CDO engine with the cylinder head facing forward. The camshaft is still on the passenger side with a revised valve operation. The power is reputed to be 20HP and had the two speed planetory transmission. There were two brakes, one in the transmission and the other on the rear wheels.

Touring Runabout - Model N

Years: 1906-07
Model Name: Touring Runabout
Model designation: Model N
Production: unknown
Seating capacity: Two persons
Wheelbase: 76 inches
Tires: 28x3 inches
Gasoline capacity: five gallons
Engine: bore stroke 5x6 (cylinder head under drivers feet facing forward)
Steering: Steering Wheel on right side
Production: unknown
Original price: $750
Serial Numbers: 30000 thru 34999 (not sequential)

This new model used a similar engine to teh Model T but only produced 7HP. It had the two speed planetary transmission. There were two brakes, one in the transmission and the other on the rear wheels, similar to the Model T.

Most of the information and pictures on the Model T & N are taken from two original publications, "A Study of the Oldsmobile" and "Oldsmobile Advance Circular" and is subject to change as more information becomes available. In particular we are loking for current photographs of vehicles are they were actually manufactured.