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1906 REO Model A news, pictures, and information | ||
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REO quickly became one of the most popular selling vehicles in America and became known for reliability and performance, and its sales were simulated by affordable pricing. From 1905 to 1910, REO produced one and two cylinder vehicles with either touring or roadster bodies. In 1911, they produced their first four-cylinder vehicle. REO built passenger cars in Lansing, Michigan until 1936 and commercial vehicles until the mid-1960s.
This 1906 REO is powered by a two-cylinder, sixteen horsepower engine which is actually mounted underneath the body. The vehicle is crank started from the side, unlike most vehicles with larger engines which were cranked from the front. The transmission is a two-speed, planetary transmission and final drive is provided via chain to the rear axle. The body has a demountable rear section which can be easily removed, thus converting the car to a two-passenger roadster.
Ransom Eli Olds was successful in selling his Curved Dash Oldsmobile, but when he resisted dropping it in favor of a more modern, expensive automobile he was forced out of his own company. Unable to use the Oldsmobile name, he started a new company using his initials.
In August of 1904, Ransom E. Olds founded the Reo Company. The REO Company manufactured automobiles and trucks from 1905 through 1936. In 1907, it was one of the top four automobile manufacturers in the United States, based on sales. After 1908, the demise of the REO Company began due to competition from Ford and General Motors.
The Depression and a courageous effort to offer vehicles in multiple price ranges ultimately led do the downfall of the company. The company was under the direction of Richard H. Scott from 1915 through 1933. The company was profitable from 1915 through 1925, but after 1933, Ransom Olds came out of retirement to get the company back on track. He resigned a year later and in 1936 the REO Company ceased production of automobiles.
By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2007
In August of 1904, Ransom E. Olds founded the Reo Company. The REO Company manufactured automobiles and trucks from 1905 through 1936. In 1907, it was one of the top four automobile manufacturers in the United States, based on sales. After 1908, the demise of the REO Company began due to competition from Ford and General Motors.
The Depression and a courageous effort to offer vehicles in multiple price ranges ultimately led do the downfall of the company. The company was under the direction of Richard H. Scott from 1915 through 1933. The company was profitable from 1915 through 1925, but after 1933, Ransom Olds came out of retirement to get the company back on track. He resigned a year later and in 1936 the REO Company ceased production of automobiles.
By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2007
 |  |  | Touring Car Chassis Num: 2354 Engine Num: 2354 |
| Sold for $275,000 at 2008 Gooding & Company. | |||
At the National Auto Show in New Yorks' Grand Central Palace in January of 1906, REO introduced their show-stopping Baby REO. It was a special project assigned By Ransom Eli Olds and his sales manager Ray Owen to the REO craftsmen. This group of individuals included patternmakers, machinists, mechanics, and experienced fitters.
The Baby REO was a one-eighth duplicate automobile of the REO Model A. It had a gasoline engine and was identical in every mechanical working part as its larger sibling. It copied every line, surface, function, and material of the Model A. The Baby REO captured headlines in nearly every major newspaper across the continent.
After the show, the Baby REO toured the country, visiting fairs, expositions, and auto shows. It made appearances at REO dealers and agent and attracted attention at every stop.
This 'midget car', as it was described, was powered by a two-cylinder horizontally opposed motor and had a detachable rear seat. The engine produced 18-20 horsepower and was entirely hand-built.
The car was later sold to the showmen at Barnum & Bailey Circus where it spent many years, appearing with featured acts like Tiny Tim, and the 'Lilliputians'. While in the circus, the car was modified to run on compressed air as a safety precaution as the vehicle operated while under a large, flammable big-top tent.
The car was lost for several years; a major search was embarked by the REO Motor Company in the mid-1930s. It was found in 1954, in the personal collection of Carl Hell, the REO truck distributor in Altoona, PA. It was in his shop from the 1930s. The car was featured in several automobile publications including Automotive Service Digest. It was put on display in the Henry Austin Clark's museum, and then put on display in the lobby of the office of ReO's controlling stockholder, R.L. Cappaert. It then became part of Dick Teague's collection.
In the 1990s, after Richard Teague's death, the car passed ownership to William Haines and the Haines Old car Barn in North Canton, Ohio.
In 2008, a 1906 REO Model A 16 horsepower Light Touring Car & 'Baby REO' were offered for sale by the Gooding & Company Auction at Pebble Beach, CA. They were estimated to sell for $350,000 - $500,000. As the gavel fell for the third and final time, the lot had been sold for $275,000 including buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2009
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 | Holy Grail of TV Star Cars to be Sold for First Time January 19, 2013 Barrett-Jackson, the World's Greatest Collector Car Auctions™, announced today that it will offer one of the most recognized and popular pieces of entertainment history worldwide, at its 42nd annual Scottsdale www.barrett-jackson.com/scottsdale/ auction in January – the only 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car which was heavily modified by legendary customizer George Barris to become the original 1966 Batmobile in the l...[Read more...] |
| 1963 Corvette Pilot Car to Cross the Block at Vicari December New Orleans Auction | |
 | The Vicari Auction Company announces its 3rd annual New Orleans Classic Auto Festival Dec. 1, 2012, at the famous Mardi Gras World in New Orleans, La. More than 200 classic and muscle cars will cross the block, led by a rare 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Pilot Car Serial #16. 'In preparation for the introduction of the re-designed 1963 Corvette, a limited number of handmade pilot line cars were produced in St. Louis, Mo., for the purpose of road testing the new design,' said Pe...[Read more...] |
| Inaugural Concours d'Elegance of Texas deemed a massive success | |
 | Houston, Texas. May 15, 2012. Last weekend, the award winning La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa in Montgomery played host to the biggest and most prestigious classic car weekend in Texas, welcoming thousands of visitors through its gates for the inaugural Concours d'Elegance of Texas, a highlight of The Houston Classic Weekend. Concours organizers had promised a spectacular gathering of world class cars at a world class venue, and they definitely delivered, assembling a superb selection of ra...[Read more...] |
| Allard Automobiles Featured at 2012 Glenmoor Gathering | |
 | Allard automobiles will be one of the featured marques at the 2012 Glenmoor Gathering. More than 20 Allard automobiles are expected to be on display during the Glenmoor Gathering weekend. Allards featured lightweight bodies built in England but were usually fitted with big American engines, resulting in a terrific power to weight ratio. Shown above at last year's Glenmoor Gathering is an award-winning 1950 Allard J2 roadster owned by David K. Hans of Barrington, Illinois, that was displayed in...[Read more...] |
| Legendary Tucker Automobiles on Display at 2012 Glenmoor Gathering | |
 | Several 1948 Tucker Automobiles will be part of the show field at the 2012 Glenmoor Gathering, including an unrestored Tucker from the Gilmore Car Museum Collection (above). A total of 51 cars were built before production stopped and most of them survive today. The distinctive car-the brainchild of Preston Tucker-was designed by Alex Tremulis. In all, more than 200 vintage and classic American and European automobiles and motorcycles will be on the show field. The motorcycle class will f...[Read more...] |
 1906
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