The Oldsmobile Limiteds
by
Judy Badgley

CONTINUED

1908 was a year of great change for Oldsmobile. Their model lineup for 1908 included the Model M, Model X and the all-new Model Z. The Model Z was the first year for the big-bodied cars. The big six cylinder engine that had been under development required a matching body to complement it. The engine produced 48 horsepower. The car had a 130 inch wheelbase, and most rode on 36 inch tires. However, 42 inch tires were offered as an option. Two body styles, a seven passenger Touring and a four passenger short-body Touring, were offered.
Standard options included on the car were headlamps, side lamps, a tail lamp, horn and a tool kit. There may have been fewer than 100 Model Zs built out of a total production of 1055. The car sold for a base price of $4500, which did not include a top or windshield.

Oldsmobile became part of General Motors late in 1908. Billy Durant had acquired Oldsmobile as Olds sales had been going downhill since 1905. It was an easy sale as the stockholders of Oldsmobile had been steadily pouring more money into the company and had increased their debt. They were anxious for the merger to take place. Olds had been number one in industry sales in 1905 and had gone to 12th by 1908. Production figures after the merger differ depending on the source you use. Billy Durant had a way of manipulating figures to make his new General Motors Company look good, but factory records show a different story.
In 1909, the Model Z was again offered. One hundred fifty of these cars were estimated to have been built out of a total production of 1,690, according to factory records. The engine remained the same as the 1908, as did the wheel-base. They did offer a closed Limousine as well as the seven passenger Touring.

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