. Bulletin - United States National Museum. Science. OLDSMOBILE GASOLINE AUTOMOBILE, 1903 Bequest of Thomas A. Peabody in 1944 (USNM 312854) One of the most popular cars in its day was the light, low-priced, curved-dash Oldsmobile runabout (fig. 82). Produced from 1901 to 1906, with only minor changes in design, it was known for economy of operation, quietness, and smooth performance, despite its large, 1-cylinder engine. The price was $650, at the Olds Motor Works in Detroit, Mich. The engine, of 41//2-inch bore and 6-inch stroke, ran at a maximum speed of a little over 700 revolutions per mi