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The 1910 Oldsmobile Limited was a top-tier model of its time, symbolizing exclusivity, power, and luxury in the American automotive industry. Announced with the slogan “Power—Silence—Speed—with Safety,” the Limited was noted in Oldsmobile’s catalog as a vehicle that would be built in small quantities due to its exceptional quality. This prestigious model was based on the Model Z, featuring a 130-inch wheelbase with immense 42-inch wheels that emphasized its impressive scale and status. Initially powered by a 505-cubic inch, 60-horsepower six-cylinder engine, the Limited saw an upgrade in 1911 to a 707-cubic inch engine when the wheelbase was extended to 138 inches. The Limited came in several body styles, including a roadster, touring car, and a top-of-the-line limousine, priced between $4,600 and $5,800—comparable to high-end brands like Packard, Peerless, and Pierce-Arrow.
Artist William Harnden Foster captured the essence of the Limited in his painting “Setting the Pace,” which depicted the vehicle leading the New York Central’s Twentieth Century Limited train along a country road, underscoring its reputation for speed and luxury. This artwork became iconic, used in Oldsmobile’s advertising for years and helping to cement the Limited’s legendary status long after its production ended.
