The Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum (WAAAM) in Hood River, Oregon, has on display more than 130 antique automobiles. The automobile was first developed in Europe in the late nineteenth century. During the first two decades of the twentieth century, the automobile began to take hold in the United States with several hundred automobile manufacturers. Shown below are some of the automobiles of the 1910s which are on display in WAAAM.
1910 Brush Runabout
The Brush Runabout sold for $485 and was promoted as “Everyman’s Car
1912 Auburn Touring Car
1913 REO The Fifth Touring Car
One of the great pioneers in the development of American automobiles was Ransom Eli Olds. Working as a partner in his father’s machine shop in Lansing, Michigan, Ransom developed an internal combustion engine which he incorporated into a car. In 1897, he opened the Olds Motor Vehicle Company. The vehicle did not sell well, but his engine did.
In 1899 the company was sold to copper and lumber magnate Samuel L. Smith and renamed the Olds Motor Works. Smith became president and Olds was vice president and general manager. The reorganized company moved from Lansing to Detroit.
In 1901, Olds he put his Curved Dash Oldsmobile into production. This vehicle was simple, affordable, and, more importantly, it was cheaper and more dependable than the horse. With the Curved Dash, the automobile gained legitimacy with the American public.
In 1904 Olds left the company due to conflicts with Frederic L. Smith and founded a new company: initially the company was called R.E. Olds Motor Car Company, but when Olds Motor Works threatened legal action, it was renamed REO (also spelled Reo). Olds became president and general manager and held 52% of the stock.
In 1915, Olds stepped down as general manager of REO and Richard H. Scott assumed the title. Under Scott’s leadership, REO remained a profitable company for the next decade.
1915 Trumbull Model 15-B Roadster
1916 Buick Model 45 Touring Car
1917 King Eight Model EE
The King Motor Car Company made cars from 1911 until 1924. The King featured a V-8 engine, self starter, electric lights, shaft drive, and a three speed selective sliding transmission.
1918 Stanley Model 735B Steam Car
1918 Chevrolet “Four-Ninety”
This Chevrolet cost $490 new.
1919 Scripps-Booth Model 39B Touring Car
More Automobile Photo Tours
LeMay Family Collection: Cars before 1920 (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Automobiles of the 1910s in America's Car Museum (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: 1930s Fords in the Classic Auto Museum (photo diary)
Museums 101: Automobiles before 1920 (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Automobiles of the 1920s (Photo Diary)
Car Show: 1917-1927 Vehicles (Photo Diary)
Truck Museum: Trucks Before 1920 (Photo Diary)
WAAAM: Trucks Before 1920 (Photo Diary)