Oldsmobile · 1915–present
Oldsmobile Model 43
The Model 43 was an entry-level four seat passenger car produced by GM's Oldsmobile Division in 1915 and 1916, then again in 1921 and 1922. It replaced the Model 42, also known as the "Baby Olds", with its most significant improvement being a longer wheelbase shared with the Buick Series C. Until GM assumed control of Chevrolet in 1917, the Model 42 and the Model 43 were GM's entry-level cars, which led to the interrupted production of the Model 43 as Oldsmobile was promoted as an upscaled product. Also known as the "Oldsmobile Four", the 4-cylinder Model 43 competed with the Chevrolet Series H as an entry-level model until GM bought Chevrolet. It stood junior to the premium Oldsmobile Light Eight. It was Oldsmobile's last four-cylinder car until the 1977 Oldsmobile Starfire.
Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Predecessor: Oldsmobile Model 42
All Oldsmobile Model 43 data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →
History
=== Model 43 === The Model 43 was equipped with a side-valve, in-line 192 cu in (3,146 cc) four-cylinder engine developing 30 bhp. The Model 43 had a wheelbase of 121 in (3,084 mm) and was offered as a touring car for 1915 and a 2-door roadster, with very little change for 1916. One advancement that was introduced on all Oldsmobiles for 1915 was the relocation of the steering wheel to the left side of the passenger compartment and the handbrake and gearshift repositioned to the center of the forward cabin. 3,500 Model 43s were manufactured in 1915 and 1916, and due to the introduction of the Chevrolet Series 490, the Model 43 was replaced by the Oldsmobile Model 53 that had been introduced in 1913, pushing Oldsmobile upscale. Amanda Preuss drove coast to coast on the Lincoln Highway in 1916, setting a record in a Model 43. Retail prices listed were US$1,095 ($35,196 in 2025 dollars ) for either a touring sedan or 2-door roadster, upscale alternatives to the Ford Model T introduced in 1908. Model 43A. In 1921 an altered version of the Model 43 returned to the Oldsmobile lineup, retroactively referred to as the Model 43A. It was marketed as a larger, more upscale entry-level model to the Chevrolet, as management noticed that removing an affordable model negatively affected overall sales at Oldsmobile dealerships. Pricing rose by nearly one-third, with the touring sedan, roadster or coupe listed at US$1,325 ($23,917 in 2025 dollars ). The new cars had a shorter wheelbase but a larger engine than the previous Model 43. With a displacement of 224 cu in (3,671 cc), the larger four-cylinder produced 44 bhp (33 kW). The leather cone clutch was replaced by a single-disk dry clutch and, steel disk wheels as an option to the standard wooden spoke. In addition to the open roadster
Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.
Specifications
- name
- Oldsmobile Model 43
- Manufacturer
- General Motors
- Production
- 1915–1916, 1921–1922
- Assembly
- United States: Lansing, Michigan (Lansing Car Assembly)
- Engine
- NNN cuin
- Wheelbase
- NNN in
- Length
- NNN in
- Width
- NNN in
- Height
- NNN in
- Kerb weight
- NNN -
- Predecessor
- Oldsmobile Model 42
- sp
- us
Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.
Sources
- Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1310003CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmobile_Model_43CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1362691114 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oldsmobile_43_model.jpgPublic domain · Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.