1910 Oldsmobile Close Coupled Special

1910 Oldsmobile Close Coupled Special

This is a superb example of the brass era pre-16 automobiles. This chassis and motor was searched for and found in Hawaii in 1968. (See HCCA Gazette July – August, 1969) 20 plus years later the restoration began by renowned restorer, wheelwright, and coach builder, Ray Graber. This 1910 Oldsmobile Close Coupled Special was built to run and that she does.

First outing was in 1993 where it won best of show. The car successfully carried Ray and his wife Sally on many cross country trips sponsored by the HCCA. This famous car has been retired to a hangar in Carson City NV for the past 10 years and it awaits its next trip. An extremely limited number of this model was produced and only one remained in the world when this machine was restored.

A complete history of the car, as known today, is available on request. The photos presented are very recent and truly show the condition of this fine car. This model car (Close Coupled Special) was made famous in the 1909 speed race against the Unlimited Steam Engine as portrayed in “Setting the Pace” by William Harden Foster.  Although this car is a 4-cylinder 40 hp vs the 6 cylinder portrayed in the race, it remains an icon of the Oldsmobile production history.