OAKLAND EIGHT CLIMBS MOUNTAIN

The Ogden Standard
April 29, 1916

The Oakland Eight recently made the ascent of Bald mountain, and actual 45 per cent grade, by the way, as attested by the figures of a well known Detroit engineer.

In commenting on this famous test climb, a bulletin received by the Sharman Auto Company from the Oakland Motor Company, says:

As stated before, while many other cars of many makes have attempted this climb, only one other has ever succeeded—that other car being of similar type to the Oakland "Eight" in that it has a very powerful, high-speed, eight-cylinder motor.  The price of this car, however, vereral hundred dollars more than the Oakland.

The power and climbing ability of the model 50 Oakland, as demonstrated in this accomplishment, was remarkably impressive; in fact, so unusual was it that we have a little incident to relate in connection with it.

On the day the Oakland "Eight" climbed Bald mountain for the first time a big dealer who handled the only other make of car which has ever topped Bald mountain was paying us a visit at the factory, and rode in the Oakland "Eight," with several other dealers, over many miles of Oakland county's "up hill and down dale" roads.  Arrived at Bald mountain, the driver, Preston by name, offered to give them a splendid view of the country from the summit.

But "thre's no road up there" and "that's too steep for any car" and "you can't get traction on that grass" and "not for mine, thank you" was how the passengers felt about it, and out they all climbed to let the foolhardy driver take it alone.

And, without any hesitation or fumubling, up went Preston and his Oakland "Eight."

That big, quiet-running, handsome machine suddenly turned into a roaring grass-cutting, dirt-throwing mountain climber.  The hill was so steep and the going so soft that at the top, with the power off and the brakes set, the big car slid back down the incline twice its own length before stopping, and then was carefully steered backward down the hill.

Vastly impressed with his afternoon's ride and this stirring finale, the visiting dealer, who sells that other eight-cylinder automobile, said: "That is indeed a magnificent motor.  I wolud not have believed any other car made, but the one I handle, could perform in that fashion.  I take off my hat to the Oakland engineers who are responsible for that job."

Few automobiles are every called upon for such an unusual effort, yet it is only a sample of what may be expected from this unusual car.  To know that one's car will be equal to any road emergency is a source of greatest comfort and satisfaction to those drivers who believe in the reasonable doctrine of "safety first."

"This we consider a conclusive test of Oakland power," said U. B. Taylor, the local agent for the Oakland cars in this territory, "but we needed no such demonstration as this to prove to our own satisfaction what the Oakland could do.  In our own locality the Oakland has performed practically as difficult feats without a murmur, and all who have witnessed the performance of the Oakland under even the most trying conditions have been fully satisfied as to its unusual virility."