R. E. Olds Transportation Museum
Encyclopedia
The R.E. Olds Transportation Museum is named for Ransom E. Olds
, founder of Oldsmobile
, and is located in Lansing, Michigan
. It is one of the top-rated automotive museums in the United States
.
The final Oldsmobile, a dark cherry metallic "Final 500 Collector's Edition" (#500 of 500) Alero
sedan, was donated to the museum on April 29, 2004.
It houses a diverse collection of Oldsmobiles dating from 1897 to 2004. The 1897 Olds, one of four built that year, is on loan from the Smithsonian Institution
. There is also an 1893 steam carriage built by Ransom E. Olds on display, prior to the founding of the Olds Motor Works, which was the official name of Oldsmobile until the 1940s.
This museum also houses automobilia
covering nearly a century, including a nearly-complete collection of Michigan license plates, early traffic signs and a working 1950's-era traffic signal.
It also houses a collection of REO
vehicles from the company that Ransom E. Olds created after he was forced from Oldsmobile by that company's management. A well-known vehicle from that company is the REO Speed Wagon
, from which a major musical band got its name. Another well-known truck that was made by a successor of that company is the Diamond REO.
Another significant part of this museum's collection are items from the Ransom E. Olds household.
Ransom E. Olds
Ransom Eli Olds was a pioneer of the American automotive industry, for whom both the Oldsmobile and REO brands were named. He claimed to have built his first steam car as early as 1894, and his first gasoline powered car in 1896...
, founder of Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile was a brand of American automobile produced for most of its existence by General Motors. It was founded by Ransom E. Olds in 1897. In its 107-year history, it produced 35.2 million cars, including at least 14 million built at its Lansing, Michigan factory...
, and is located in Lansing, Michigan
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
. It is one of the top-rated automotive museums in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
The final Oldsmobile, a dark cherry metallic "Final 500 Collector's Edition" (#500 of 500) Alero
Oldsmobile Alero
The Oldsmobile Alero was a compact car produced by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors from 1999 to 2004.The Alero was introduced in spring 1998 as a 1999 model to replace the Achieva and Cutlass. The Alero went into production on April 6, 1998. All Aleros were built in Lansing, Michigan...
sedan, was donated to the museum on April 29, 2004.
It houses a diverse collection of Oldsmobiles dating from 1897 to 2004. The 1897 Olds, one of four built that year, is on loan from the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
. There is also an 1893 steam carriage built by Ransom E. Olds on display, prior to the founding of the Olds Motor Works, which was the official name of Oldsmobile until the 1940s.
This museum also houses automobilia
Automobilia
Automobilia is a portmanteau of the words automobile and memorabilia. It is term which can be used to describe any historical artifact or collectible linked with motor cars and related areas, such as motor racing and motorsport personalities...
covering nearly a century, including a nearly-complete collection of Michigan license plates, early traffic signs and a working 1950's-era traffic signal.
It also houses a collection of REO
REO Motor Car Company
The REO Motor Car Company was a Lansing, Michigan based company that produced automobiles and trucks from 1905 to 1975. At one point the company also manufactured buses on its truck platforms.REO was initiated by Ransom E. Olds during August 1904...
vehicles from the company that Ransom E. Olds created after he was forced from Oldsmobile by that company's management. A well-known vehicle from that company is the REO Speed Wagon
REO Speed Wagon
The REO Speed Wagon was a light motor truck manufactured by REO Motor Car Company. It was an ancestor of the pickup truck....
, from which a major musical band got its name. Another well-known truck that was made by a successor of that company is the Diamond REO.
Another significant part of this museum's collection are items from the Ransom E. Olds household.