1935 Oldsmobile F-35 Touring Sedan

Coachwork by Fisher Registration no. CLC 421 Chassis no. F203904

Footnotes

"From top to tread, from front to rear, the Oldsmobile Six is a car in which you may take full pride and enjoyment, knowing you have all the features that make a car modern, safe and durable, at the very lowest cost for so much quality." – Oldsmobile, 1935.

America's oldest manufacturer of automobiles up to the time of its demise in 2004, Oldsmobile had been founded in Lansing, Michigan in 1897 by Ransom Eli Olds, who had begun experimenting with powered transport in the late 1880s. Its first product was a single-cylinder runabout: the famous 'curved dash' Oldsmobile. By the time America entered WWI, Oldsmobile's range had expanded to include four-cylinder, six-cylinder, and V8-engined models.

A company known for its technological innovation, Oldsmobile offered independent front suspension on its cars in 1934, synchromesh transmission having been introduced two years previously, and this 'knee action' system was further refined on the completely restyled 1935 range. The '35 Oldsmobiles featured all-steel 'Turret Top' bodies by Fisher - much stiffer than the previous timber-framed designs - and in the case of the six-cylinder cars were powered by a 213ci (3½-litre) sidevalve engine developing 90 horsepower. Other noteworthy features included Fisher's 'No Draft' ventilation, hydraulic brakes, a three-speed manual gearbox, and a rear anti-roll bar. Priced at $820, the four-door Touring Sedan was the most expensive six-cylinder model on offer in 1935.

This rare right-hand drive Oldsmobile F-35 was first registered in November 1935 as 'CLC 421' (a London mark) and carries a plaque on the dashboard showing that it was supplied by Rawlence Cars Ltd of 39 Sackville St, W1. The immediately preceding owner - proprietor of a respected classic car restoration company - purchased the Oldsmobile in 2012 because of its resemblance to a 'Turret Top' Hudson his father had once owned. The car has since been treated to a bare-metal re-spray, while other works carried out over the last seven years include overhauls of the engine and braking system and re-plating of brightwork, etc. Trimmed in brown, the spacious interior features a valve radio and opening front and rear quarter-lights. Worthy of the closest inspection, this stylish classic American is ready to enjoy.