The Big Oldsmobile Fire

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Mar 3, 2021 | 02:14 PM

Rocketguy

Thread Starter

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Joined: Apr 2013

Posts: 837

From: Great Lake State: SE MI

The Big Oldsmobile Fire

One hundred twenty years ago today, the brand new Olds Motor Works burned, causing the factory business to move to Lansing.

I enjoyed this informative article in JWO:

Mar 3, 2021 | 02:50 PM

vCode442

Vincit qui se vincit

Joined: Aug 2019

Posts: 939

From: SE USA

Great story thanks for sharing, your post led me to this, what RE did after the fire. More great Olds history.

http://blogs.detroitnews.com/history...ved-dash-olds/

Mar 3, 2021 | 02:57 PM

mrolds69

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Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 1,907

From: Toytown, MA

I'd really like to know about the second fire, when the records for our cars were destroyed.

Mar 3, 2021 | 03:46 PM

vCode442

Vincit qui se vincit

Joined: Aug 2019

Posts: 939

From: SE USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrolds69

I'd really like to know about the second fire, when the records for our cars were destroyed.

^^x2

Mar 3, 2021 | 03:54 PM

83hurstguy

Registered User

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 1,434

From: Chicago

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrolds69

I'd really like to know about the second fire, when the records for our cars were destroyed.

Pretty sure it's actually not a true story. Olds never wanted to maintain records like some of the other manufacturers, and they haven't been made accessible either.

Mar 3, 2021 | 04:52 PM

1970cs

Lansing built

Joined: Nov 2011

Posts: 3,330

From: Grand Ledge, MI

I got this from a swap meet for $1. Been reading it a couple pages at time.

Mar 3, 2021 | 05:48 PM

joe_padavano

Old(s) Fart

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 50,803

From: Northern VA

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrolds69

I'd really like to know about the second fire, when the records for our cars were destroyed.

I was waiting for that. The second "fire" was in the Lansing municipal incinerator.

Mar 3, 2021 | 06:05 PM

anthonyP

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Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 2,057

From: Poconos, Pennsylvania

Who was the 23 year old employee James Brady, and why does it say Motor Vehicles Olds Gas and Gasoline Engines (?) on the side of the building?

Mar 3, 2021 | 07:44 PM

Charlie Jones

Phantom Phixer

Joined: Dec 2011

Posts: 5,530

From: Apopka, FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthonyP

why does it say Motor Vehicles Olds Gas and Gasoline Engines (?) on the side of the building?

Olds , at the time , was a major manufacturer of stationary engines .
They were powered by gasoline or natural gas (gas) .
Buick started much the same way .