Oldsmobiles were first manufactured by the Olds Motor Vehicle Company in Lansing, Michigan, founded by Ransom E. Olds in 1897. In 1901, the company produced 635 cars, making it the first high-volume gasoline-powered automobile manufacturer. In 1904, Ransom Olds left the company following a dispute with sales manager Frederic L. Smith, and subsequently formed the REO Motor Car Company.
The 1902 to 1907 Oldsmobile Model R "Curved Dash" was made on a progressive moving automotive assembly line, an invention often incorrectly credited to Henry Ford and the Ford Motor Company. Oldsmobile became a competitor to Buick and Cadillac before they became divisions of General Motors between 1908 and 1909. Officially, the cars were called "Olds automobiles", but were colloquially referred to as "Oldsmobiles", a moniker popularized in the 1905 hit song "In My Merry Oldsmobile". General Motors purchased the company on November 12, 1908.
In the 1950s, Oldsmobile’s styling featured a wide, “open maw” grille. The decade also saw the introduction of the first hardtop coupe, called the “Holiday coupe”. In the 1960s, Oldsmobile introduced the F-85 Jetfire with a turbocharged engine and factory water injection system, the Toronado – the first modern front-wheel drive car produced in the United States – the Vista Cruiser station wagon, and the 442 muscle car.
The 1970s and 1980s were successful years for the division, with sales peaking at over one million annually from 1983 to 1986, and the Cutlass series becoming a popular car. In 1977, Oldsmobile equipped some Delta 88 models with Chevrolet 350 engines due to production capacity issues. In 1988, Oldsmobile achieved a world closed-course speed record with the Oldsmobile Aerotech at 267 miles per hour, driven by A. J. Foyt.
In December 2000, General Motors announced plans to shut down the Oldsmobile organization. Production ended in stages, with the final Oldsmobile, an Alero GLS 4-door sedan, completed in April 2004.
Oldsmobile was involved in motorsport, particularly in NASCAR, where the Cutlass was competitive. Oldsmobile also provided engines in the IndyCar Series between 1997 and 2001. In the IMSA GT Championship, Oldsmobile provided power for IMSA GT Prototypes, and the Cutlass was used in IMSA GTO and the Trans Am Series.
Throughout its history, Oldsmobile was led by several key figures, including Ransom E. Olds (1897–1915), Richard H. Scott (1915–1933), and John Rock (1992–1996).
The Toronado was Motor Trend magazine’s “Car of the Year” in 1966. The Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera was ranked “Best in Price Class” by J. D. Power and Associates in 1992, and was also named “Safe Car of the Year” by Prevention magazine that same year. The Oldsmobile Administration Building, completed in 1966, remains a landmark in Lansing, Michigan.
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