Oldsmobile Curved Dash
The world's first mass-produced car and a pioneer of the assembly line.
- Power
- 7 bhp
- Top speed
- 20 mph
- Est. value
- $40k–$75k
About the Oldsmobile Curved Dash
The Oldsmobile Curved Dash, specifically the Model R, is a landmark in automotive history as the first vehicle to be successfully mass-produced on a stationary assembly line. Its distinctive name comes from the toboggan-style footboard designed to protect passengers from mud thrown up by horses. Powered by a mid-mounted horizontal single-cylinder engine, it features a simple tiller for steering and a two-speed planetary transmission. Despite its modest power, its lightweight construction and reliability made it America's best-selling car in the early 1900s.
Oldsmobile Curved Dash specs
The Oldsmobile Curved Dash produces 7 bhp (5 kW). It has a top speed of 20 mph (32 km/h).
| Make | Oldsmobile |
|---|---|
| Model | Curved Dash |
| Trim | 7 hp |
| Years | 1901–1907 |
| Type | Classic |
| Body style | Runabout |
| Country | United States |
| Production | About 19,000 built |
| Original price | About $650 when new |
| Engine | 1.6-litre single-cylinder |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 1,560 cc (1.6 litres) |
| Induction | Naturally aspirated |
| Power | 7 bhp (5 kW) at 600 rpm |
| Top speed | 20 mph (32 km/h) |
| Transmission | 2-speed planetary |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 386 kg (851 lb) |
| Power-to-weight | 18 bhp per tonne |
Typical figures for the standard car; options, markets and model years vary. Where our specs come from
How much is an Oldsmobile Curved Dash worth?
A typical Oldsmobile Curved Dash is estimated to be worth $40,000 – $75,000 (about £30,000 – £56,000).
Its original price when new was about $650.
Values are directional estimates for a typical example, not appraisals. Condition, mileage, history and specification all change what a real car is worth. Pound figures use the exchange rate of 3 November 2026. How values are estimated
Oldsmobile Curved Dash rarity in CarSpot
The Oldsmobile Curved Dash is an Epic card in CarSpot, with a rarity score of 59 out of 100. Supercars and serious performance cars, typically worth around £100,000 to £250,000. An Epic card is worth 80 XP.
Each model's tier starts from a 0–100 score based on its value plus its power or production numbers. Once enough players have spotted a model, how often it is spotted can move it up or down one tier. How CarSpot rarity works
Rarity is a collectible game mechanic, not an assessment of real-world scarcity or value.
Oldsmobile Curved Dash fun facts
- The Curved Dash became the only Oldsmobile prototype to survive a devastating factory fire in 1901, which inadvertently forced the company to focus solely on its production.
- In 1903, a Curved Dash Oldsmobile became one of the first cars to complete a transcontinental journey across the United States, traveling from San Francisco to New York.
- The car's popularity inspired the 1905 hit song 'In My Merry Oldsmobile', one of the most famous early examples of automotive-themed pop culture.
