The 'Curved Dash’ Olds is one of the most
accessible London to Brighton cars, there being 120-plus on the VCC’s books,
and the 7hp, displacing 1925cc rather than the 5hp’s 1500c, is easier to drive.
This car has been in the UK since 1990 and is being sold from a deceased
estate, it’s in fine order, with decent paint and leather just taking on a nice
patina, plus various new washers and split-pins on the valve-gear point to
ongoing care. The Olds is relatively sophisticated in this department, having
both inlet and exhaust valve mechanically operated, and the cam looks unworn.
Oldsmobile
7HP
Under the rear deck, the coolant is nearly
full in the header tank, with strong antifreeze; the total-loss drip-feed
oiling system is almost full in the sight glass; and the toolbox is well
stocked. The drive chain looks good, with lots of grease, and the Firestone
'non-slip' tires have lots of tread. The exhaust seems solid, helped by a few
oil leaks, and some of the radiator fins are lightly squashed, though there are
various new hoses and clips.
The
drive chain looks good, with lots of grease, and the Firestone 'non-slip' tires
have lots of tread.
The seat leather is good and there's shiny
paint to the dash. The Dietz brass lamps are attractive, with a couple of dings
that don't detract from their appearance, but they lack internals and the
offside lens is cracked.
Ignition and fuel on and, after a bit of
winding, the big single chuffs into life, rocking the car on its long springs
until it's warmed up. Drive takes up smoothly, as does the shift into high
ratio. Once happy, it romps along at perhaps 25mph; the brakes are surprisingly
effective, too, and you always have the option of pulling it into reverse to
help. There's no slop in the tiller steering or in the kingpins, just a little
play in the wheel bearings that might well adjust out. The last MoT expired in
mid-2012, but vendor McGuire has judged this car of sufficient integrity not to
need a precautionary test.
Oldsmobile
7HP’s interior
Oldsmobile
7HP’s mechanicals
Info
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Year of manufacture: 1904
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Recorded mileage: n/a
§
Asking price: $74,250
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Vendor: Gavin McGuire's Fine Automobiles,
Surrey
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Website: www.gavinmcguire.com
Summary
Exterior
§
In stout fettle, with decent paint
Interior
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Hide good; mat slightly worn
Mechanicals
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Quiet, with "just the right amount of
smoke" according to McGuire
Value
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Ratings: 8/10
§
For: Ease of use and
ownership
§
Against: Not seriously
for main roads, except once a year
Should I buy it?
§
You won't get a usable Brighton runner much
more cheaply, and this isn't a lot over what the cars fetch at auction. So
that's a yes.
Specs and price
§
Price: $650
§
Max power: 7bhp
§
Max torque: n/a
§
0-60mph: n/a
§
Top speed: 30mph
§
Mpg: n/a
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