At the time of its demise in 2004, Oldsmobile was the oldest American automobile manufacturer, producing 35 million vehicles across 107 years. The Series 43 was produced in two cycles, 1915-16, and again from 1921-22, the latter being a more upscale version. As such, the later 43s were dubbed the 43a. This 101-year-old example runs great and recently took a 140-mile trip. Located in Nekoosa, Wisconsin, this Olds is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $12,800. Thanks, NW Iowa, for this cool find!
The Olds 43 was an entry-level, 4-seat automobile when first introduced in 1915. Not long after that, General Motors bought Chevrolet and the 43 was discontinued as it was seen as an in-house direct competitor. After a five-year absence, the 43 returned as the 43a in 1921 at a higher level of trim than the Chevy, though the wheelbase was reduced slightly and the size of the engine increased to 224 cubic inches and 40 hp (and inline-4, the last Olds would market until 1977). Across its last two years, Oldsmobile would build more than 28,000 copies in various body styles.
It’s amazing to find a car that’s more than a century old in running condition. But here we are, and it may be a testament to it having only had three owners. The motor and 3-speed manual transmission are original and there’s no mention if either has required a rebuild. I’m not sure I’d take this car on an extended road trip, but the seller did and said it performed well.
New stuff includes a correct top and leather upholstery. Also, new tires and refurbished wood wheels with not one but six coats of marine varnish to help protect them. To help increase safety while riding in an old machine like this, turn signals have been added! We’re not told if the body needs any serious attention, but if it doesn’t, leave the rest of the car the way it is and enjoy the novelty that it presents.
I’d take it over any Chevelle or whatever. Dollar for dollar it’s 10x the car.
So this is what the Clampett’s truck
truck looked like BEFORE they sawed
the rear half of the body off. I’d seen
or heard somewhere that the Clampett truck was indeed a ’21 or ’22 Olds touring car before George Barris turned it into a truck. Great
looking car though.
This is an extremely ” rare find!!” Many years ago I noticed an ad for a 1937 Buick convertible that was for sale on the West Coast . The seller stated that there were an estimated 20 left in the world . Some cars are so rare that only one or two may exist . This 1922 Oldsmobile should be preserved for historical purposes and for future generations to enjoy . A very unique find !! Happy Motoring .
I had a 1912 Little that was considered to be very rare as only one other was known to the “Expert” except that one day a Canadian gent phoned me in South Africa about my car then sent me a list of people on his register that had both cars, and enough spares, that if all the spares were put together another 4 cars could be built! So not so rare as originally thought. The car is still running well after 111 years since new.
Wellll doggie!
My Mom and Dad during the mid 1930’s had a Chevrolet “490”, a car just like this Olds. They loved to take Summer rides in Ill. on Sundays and Mom’s job was to get up early and weekly sew the side curtains.
They bought a couple more Chev’s before deciding to up grade to a Olds 76 in 1941. In 1951, he upgraded to a Buick Super with “Dyna Slip” transmission, then in 1958 a Pontiac Bonneville. Then in 1965 he did his last up grade to a Cadillac.
Sad that General Motors allowed itself to degrade into the condition it is now. How many new Cadillac or Buicks have you seen lately?
I love this one… these old cars just have “character” and always causes people to really bend their necks to check it out… really nice !!
Solosolo UK, it’s a beauty ! ! !
Thank you. It is a beauty but I’m not sorry that I don’t own it any more due to it not being able to do more than 40mph and if it saw a hill in the distance it started slowing down as it only had two gears, very low and very high, so it wasn’t a nice road car even back in the day.
Ah, yes, the famous “Olds Three-Port Head” beloved by the hotrodders of our father’s and grandfather’s generation! I had one, modified by no less than Harry Miller, on a hotrod built right after WWII
I believe 22 was the 1st year for electric start in Olds?
But anyway, can’t seem to find any mention…