1906 REO Model A Touring Car

Many promotional tools were employed during the early days of the automobile, such as driving up the steps of the state capital, traversing the untracked length of America in time trials, carrying great loads, setting speed records, and were even raced. Showmanship was a vital key to success, and Ransom E. Olds was one of the best in proving his vehicle's reliable quality mechanisms and proving his vehicles were more than capable of the tasks at hand.

At the National Auto Show in New York's 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 dealerships 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 upon 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 the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2009