This early Oldsmobile was powered by a single-cylinder engine: Jalopnik

Different automotive eras are often associated with different cylinder numbers or engine sizes. For example, classic muscle cars were often synonymous with big V8 engines, while vehicle trends following the 1973 oil crisis favored smaller engines and greater fuel efficiency. Modern supercars and hypercars returned with massive powertrains, the size of 16-cylinder engines, which are extremely cool, but also quite rare. However, engine sizes were much smaller around the turn of the century^e century. Take the 1901 Curved Dash, a single-cylinder Oldsmobile so named because of its unique running board design. Although this was certainly not the most unusual example at the time, as the oldest street-legal car in Germany had two brakes and two horns.

Nevertheless, with a small 95.4 cubic inch engine producing only 4.5 horsepower, the Curved Dash device looks more like a horse-drawn carriage than a modern automobile. It made a distinct noise while operating at around 500 revolutions per minute, described as a single and intermittent “chug”. There was no steering wheel to determine direction. Instead, the Curved Dash used a curved lever that extended toward the center of the bench seat. This tiller steering gear was controlled like a rudder and allowed the driver to turn the wheels via a direct mechanical connection, albeit with some considerable effort. Although the little single-cylinder Oldsmobile became a success, that was more a coincidence than a carefully thought-out business strategy.

The fire forced the hands of Ransom Olds. His only choice was to put all his efforts into producing the Curved Dash. Auto sales didn’t exactly dominate the market in the early 20th century, with buggies and carriages accounting for more than 99.5% of total transportation sales in 1903, but the Curved Dash did quite well. Between 1902 and 1905, the Curved Dash Runabout became America’s best-selling car.

An interesting factor (which was purely coincidental) in the success of the Curved Dash was the price. When they went on sale in 1901, the Curved Dash models cost $650, which was considered an affordable price at the time. This encouraged early adopters to take a chance on the car, reinforcing the idea that these vehicles could become a normal part of American homes. In contrast, the first Model T was launched in 1908, starting at $825. Ford’s Model T was much more advanced and powerful than the original Curved Dash, but the price increase was still a big pill to swallow for a new mode of transportation. Ford comparisons aside, Ransom Olds started one of the great car brands that lasted for over a century, and we’re still not over the death of the iconic brand.