Runabout
Chassis #: 5654
Bitter arguments have a way of destroying good things, just ask Ransom Eli Olds. After an argument with his principal investor and his sons, Olds would lose the company bearing his own name. Having lost the use of his own name, Olds would be forced to start over using an assumed name. Thankfully for him, the use of his initials had not become prohibited. Therefore, the REO Company would be born.REO would come to manufacture automobiles and trucks onwards from 1905. The company would do well initially but then would face fierce competition from the likes of Ford and General Motors. The company would carry on, however.Olds would retire and would hand the controls of the company over to Richard Scott. This wouldn't be the opportunity it seemed when the Depression struck toward the later part of the 1920s.
Despite Scott's best efforts, the company would be struggling dearly and it would lead to Olds coming out of retirement in an attempt to help stem the tide. However, by 1936, the damage would be done. The efforts would not be enough to turn things around and the REO Company would cease all production.
Sources:
'Lot 380: 1907 REO Model B Runabout', (http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20582/lot/380/?list_search_query%3D1%26lang%3Den_us%26
back_to_year%3D2003%26sale_no%3D20582%26limit%3D9999%26query%3D
pierce%26create_facets%3DFalse). Bonhams 1793. http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20582/lot/380/
?list_search_query%3D1%26lang%3Den_us%26back_to_year%3D2003
%26sale_no%3D20582%26limit%3D9999%26query
%3Dpierce%26create_facets%3DFalse. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
'Lot 380: 1907 REO Model B Runabout', (http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20582/lot/380/?list_search_query%3D1%26lang%3Den_us%26
back_to_year%3D2003%26sale_no%3D20582%26limit%3D9999%26query%3D
pierce%26create_facets%3DFalse). Bonhams 1793. http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20582/lot/380/
?list_search_query%3D1%26lang%3Den_us%26back_to_year%3D2003
%26sale_no%3D20582%26limit%3D9999%26query
%3Dpierce%26create_facets%3DFalse. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
Runabout
Engine #: 6174
Ransom Eli Olds left his original namesake entity, Oldsmobile, following disagreements with his principal investor and his sons. Instead of retiring, he founded the R.E. Olds Company, but this too caused problems, so the name was abbreviated simply to REO, or Reo Motor Car Company. Vehicle production included a two-cylinder 16 horsepower vehicle that was quickly joined by a 7.5 horsepower Single, and both of these were very popular. For 1907, REO placed behind Ford and Buick in regard to the overall production. This particular example is a Model B runabout equipped with a 106 cubic-inch single side-valve engine breathing through a single carburetor and delivering approximately eight horsepower. It has a two-speed Planetary gearbox and external-contracting rear wheel drum brakes.This REO is believed to have been owned by Joseph Murchio, who ran an automobile museum at Greenwood Lake, New York from 1945 for two decades. It was later acquired from Murchio by Ralph Snyder of Mt. Joy, Pennsylvania. A restoration was completed in 1955 with Mr. Snyder performing much of the work, with the wooden body being rebuilt by Earl Brightbill of Rheems Lumber & Millwork. After the work was completed, the car was subsequently shown at a National AACA Show in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, winning a First Junior Award.
Mr. Snyder later passed the car to Louis Bleacher, a school-teacher from Millersville, and on his death in 1996, the car was acquired by the former owner Patrick Egan of Lancaster, Pennsylvania at the sale of Lou's Estate sale.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2021
REO
1907 REO Model B Vehicle Profiles
Recent Vehicle Additions
Performance and Specification Comparison
Price Comparison
$650
Model B Specification Comparison by Year
Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
1 cyl., 90.00 CID., 5.00hp
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