Olson's Gaskets - HISTORY

Mr. Olson hard at work sometime in the mid-80's. (This is what happens when your kids know more about computers than you do.)

I've been interested in old cars since childhood, and I bought my first car (a Model A) at age 15. I started going to antique automobile swap meets when I could drive. In the early 70's I purchased 177 early Studebaker gaskets at an auction, and before long I had traded off my other swap meet stuff to acquire more gaskets.

Early on, it became apparent that certain gaskets (i.e. Packard, Pierce Arrow, Stutz, Fordson) were next to non-existent. Therefore, we started to reproduce them. At the same time, we started hand cutting gaskets for "one off" and low volume applications.

Over the years, the "Gasket" business has continued to grow, both in customers and in inventory. In 1989 we purchased the inventory of "Gasket King", 9238 headgaskets 1950 and older (this was the end of the Fitzgerald factory inventory). By 1992, the business was to the point where it was time to retire from the day job and supply gaskets full time. Since then, we've seen an additional 200% growth. In 1995 we purchased the inventory of "Gasket City" and "Rattle Run Auto Parts", adding 5 tons of gaskets to our inventory. In 1996 we bought 1 ton of gaskets from Don Williams, and in 1997 we acquired 4 tons of gaskets from Ken Bledsoe.

In the late 80's we recognized a need existed in the truck and tractor hobby. At that time we expanded our inventory to include antique truck, tractor, industrial, and stationary engine gaskets. Today the antique truck, tractor, industrial, and stationary engine market makes up over 50% of our business.

With our current inventory of original, reproduced, and hand cut gaskets, we are able to say 'yes' to over 99% of the inquiries for antique engine gaskets that come in. We've had the opportunity to build up a dealer base and work with other dealers to get gaskets reproduced.

Olson's Gaskets
3059 Opdal Rd E
Port Orchard, WA 98366
U. S. A.

phone/fax: (360)871-1207

(International calls use country code 011)

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 8 -5

(West Coast Time)

E-Mail: info@olsonsgaskets.com

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