1907 REO Model B Runabout

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