Museum Photos
OAKLAND
Oakland was a pioneer, organized about 1905. Production started in 1907 with the first car designed by Alanson P. Brush, who left to start his own business and later produced The Brush. The company became a division of General Motors in 1909.
Oakland made lower-middle price cars - between upper Chevrolets and higher-priced Buicks and Oldsmobiles, although the price fluctuated considerably during the 1920s.
Oakland was the 6th largest producer until the early 1920s when production was held up due to engineering problems. The company never fully recovered its market share. Oakland is noted for using the Northway engine. It made some very nice Roadster and Touring Cars but was not a large producer in the 1920s.
When the "companion car" craze came along (mid-twenties to 1931) Cadillac had the LaSalle, Buick the Marquette, Olds the Viking, REO the Wolverine, Nash the Ajax, Chandler the Cleveland, Studebaker the Rockney, and Oakland had the Pontiac.
Oldsmobile made the Pontiac in 1926. The cheaper, 3-liter, 6-cylinder Pontiac was a better seller than the Oakland and cut its sales by one-half in one year. After the Depression hit the industry, the Oakland remained in production until it was finally dropped in 1931 and the company became the Pontiac Motor Division of General Motors.
Oakland made a V/8 in the last years and had a nice line of cars. The last years of production were quite stylish. A roadster is very desirable. In 1925, the average speed limit was 25 mph, in 1929 it was 30 mph. When the Ford V/8 arrived it was 35 mph. By 1935, it had climbed to 45 mph. The car should do 35 mph and top out at 60 mph on a good run.
We have a 1926 2 Door Sedan (shown above in foreground) with 26,000 miles, in nice condition.
