1911 Oldsmobile Limited Engine and Partial Chassis

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

The Nethercutt Collection is one of America’s finest Automotive Museums and Collections, a masterpiece comprising over 250 perfectly restored American and European motor cars, along with a vast array of rare mechanical musical instruments and precious antique furniture. 

Maintaining a classic car collection of this size is never easy, and when it reaches the scale of our collection, it becomes increasingly more challenging. Our founder, J.B. Nethercutt said the following at age 91, “The recognition and preservation of beauty has been a major focus of my life. It would suit me well if what people remembered about me was, ‘Where he went, he left beauty behind.’” 

As a result, we have decided to part ways with a small group of cars from the collection and will do so in partnership with our friends at Hagerty Marketplace. Many of the cars we have decided to sell we have owned for in excess of 50 years, or have been in storage, not on display, or represent a tremendous opportunity as a restoration project. They are a compelling mix of pre-war examples that have been thoroughly well-cared for and that will easily find new caretakers who will undoubtedly cherish and use them as intended.  

As we say goodbye to this group of cars, we hope the occasion for their sale will introduce us to new collectors and enthusiasts, and we look forward to hosting you at the Museum and Collection in Sylmar, California, in the coming months, years and decades. 

 * * * 

The Olds Motor Vehicle Company was founded in Lansing, Michigan on August 21, 1897; the first company in Michigan organized solely for manufacturing and selling motor vehicles. It wasn’t until the factory burned down on 9 March 1901 that Olds focused his attention on the surviving car, a “curved-dash” gasoline runabout powered by a single-cylinder 4.5 hp engine fitted with a spur-geared, two-speed transmission. It was well-made, simple to operate, and offered a top speed of 20 mph. By 1903 it was the best-selling car in America.

Ransom Eli Olds left his namesake Olds Motor Works in Lansing, Michigan in January 1904, “For certain reasons,” as the public explanation was given. Truth be told, the Smiths, who held a controlling interest in his company wanted to phase out production of the successful curved dash Oldsmobile and concentrate on building more luxurious models. Olds was furious and left the company.

By 1912, Oldsmobile was producing three models — the Limited, the Autocrat, and the Defender. Olds sales toppled from a 1909 high of 6,575 to 1,075 in 1911. The Limited used a powerful 60 hp six-cylinder engine and 140-inch wheelbase, prices ranged from $5000 to $6000 – just 250 were built. The Autocrat used a 126-inch wheelbase and 45 hp four-cylinder engine and the new Defender, a smaller 116-inch wheelbase and a 35 hp version of the Olds four-cylinder engine.

Highlights

• Offered from The Nethercutt Collection

• Once part of the famed Harrah Collection

• Olds Limited six-cylinder engine

Features

• Chassis rails

• Hood

• Two extra cylinder jugs

• 33-inch wheel rims

• Transmission

• Gear shifter and emergency brake mechanism

• Steering box #64143

Ownership History

Once part of the famed Harrah Collection.

Additional Notes

Sold on Bill of Sale only.

A Broad Arrow Auctions Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle. Broad Arrow Auctions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty.

Contact: Donnie Gould Phone: 954.647.0779 email: dgould@hagerty.com