After Ransom E. Olds left the Olds Motor Company, he founded the REO Motor Company which would build high-quality vehicles in the mid-to-upper price range. The cars were robust, had great performance, inherent quietness, agility, and ease of operation. Even being a relatively expensive vehicle at the time, REO managed to earn a third place position in sales behind Ford and Buick.
The company's first automobile, the Model A, had a two-cylinder horizontally-opposed engine. Sales began in early 1905. By the spring of 1905, REO was offering the one-cylinder Model B. In 1908, the Model A was introduced and sold for $1,000 (a top was available for an additional $40). The Model B sold for $650.
In 1908, REO introduced metal fenders which replaced the previous fenders made of wood. Also, new for 1908 was the full running board between the front and rear fenders. Prior one cylinder REO models had only a step plate.
REO discontinued its one-cylinder automobile after the 1910 model year but offered one-cylinder trucks for several years thereafter.
