Early years, as seen in 1/43 scale

   Does anyone else like models of the earliest automobiles?  Those of the years around 1900 or maybe even older?  Maybe not, because there were still potential collectors around who had faint memories of these early days when modern 1/43 models started production.  Just take a look and think: Who decided just what a car was supposed to look like?    Like these, all looking for an answer?

The De Dion above makes the next one look almost modern.

Sometimes that "year" is hard to find.  Look at this light delivery truck and somewhere in the list ofOldsmobile's origins there must be a place    (I think).

1864: Ransom E. Olds is born in Geneva, Ohio. His family moves to Lansing when he is 16.

1887: R.E. Olds develops a steam-powered car.

1893: Olds’ steam-powered car becomes the first American car sold abroad – but the ship sinks on the way to India and the car is lost.

1896: Olds builds a gas-powered car and starts motoring around Lansing.

1897: Olds and Lansing business people start the Olds Motor Vehicle Co. and build four cars. The Lansing-based manufacturer is the first company organized specifically to produce cars in quantity.

1899: Olds’ second company, Olds Motor Works, moves to Detroit.

1900: The Oldsmobile name is first used.

1901: Detroit plants are destroyed by fire and Olds returns to Lansing.

1905: The Curved Dash Oldsmobile is immortalized by the song “In My Merry Oldsmobile.”

1908: Oldsmobile joins the newly organized General Motors Co. as one of its first two operating divisions. The other is Buick.

Does a car have to have 4 wheels plus a steering wheel?  Here's one that doesn't, and it's from the 1800's (just barely).

I wonder if this is the origin of the term "back seat driver"?

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Does anyone else have examples?  Most of mine are from the early and simplified years of 1/43 models.

                  David H