R.E. Olds donated a 1903 Curved Dash Oldsmobile to the Michigan State University Museum in 1949 to display for future generations. Now, after more than 20 years in storage, the vehicle will be displayed again.
“It fits right with our programs and we will have a nice spot in the museum,” said Bill Adcock, executive director of the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum, in Lansing.
Thanks to an agreement between the MSU Museum and the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum, the vehicle will be displayed at the Olds Museum through a loan, which can be renewed yearly.
The vehicle is unique since it was constructed between 1945 and 1948 strictly for the purpose of donating to the MSU Museum. The Curved Dash design was produced from 1901 to 1907. This particular one features parts from different years, according to Val Berryman, curator of history at the MSU Museum.
“It was put together from various parts,” Berryman said. “It’s not a car that he owned, used or ran, but just something that he put together especially to donate to MSU.”
Adcock described the vehicle as a combination of several models which R.E. created with his own personal taste.
“It’s got wheels off a 1901, but an engine of a 1903 and a lot of brass pieces that I think R.E. put on himself,” Adcock said.
He also urged people to come and see the car for themselves while it is out of storage.
“The public can come in and see it; it’s very historic,” Adcock said.
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