Name/Title
Reo 1908Description
There is virtually no historical information on file in the vehicle binder, registration slips dating back to 1991 are on file. A handwritten notation, "Deed, no title," was noted on the last page in the vehicle binder.
History of REO's Beginnings
Ransom E. Olds invented the assembly line in 1901. Many people believe that Henry Ford invented the assembly line, but the fact is, Henry Ford invented the conveyor for the assembly line. The conveyor made production 60% faster! in order to keep up with the increasing demand for the new horseless carriages. This new approach to putting together automobiles in 1901 enabled Olds to more than quadruple his factory output from 425 cars in 1901 to 2,500 in 1902. Both the Oldsmobile and REO automobile brands were named after him.
In 1895 Ransom's father opened a machine shop in Lansing, Michigan, in which Ransom became a partner. There he developed an internal combustion engine that he incorporated into a car. In 1897 he opened the Olds Motor Vehicle Company, replacing his father's shop, the Olds Gasoline Engine Works. The vehicle company sputtered, but the engine company succeeded. In 1899 Olds moved to Detroit, formed the Olds Motor Works, and designed and produced the popular Oldsmobile. With its low price and stylish curved dashboard, this was the first car to be mass produced in quantity. When his backer wanted a more expensive car, Olds quit to form Reo Motor Car Company. Ransom Eli Olds was born on June 3, 1864 in Geneva, Ohio and died on August 26, 1950 in Lansing, Michigan.
The automobile is in barn-find condition with the old red paint mostly eroded to bare wood; the exterior has not been cleaned or the kerosene brass lighting polished. The rear seat is thought to be original leather and the front upholstery an older replacement, rubber floor mats are present The tires have deteriorated, exposing the old fabric belts. The engine has been "gone through" and was operated in August of 2010.
After comparing the chassis number (9265) of the REO to other Model B REOs sold, RMR has concluded that the Museum's car is a Model B built in 1908.
Best comparable is #5654 sold by Bonhams auction at Scottsdale in 2013. It is documented as a 1907 Model B.
RMR also note that the old text panel for the car listed it as 1908... Not sure when/why it was changed, but assume it was because the old inventory prepared by the Trust had car listed as 1904 (which is not possible).
January 22, 2015
NOTE: Based on wheelbase only, the car should be 1905 or 1906 (Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942 Kimes, Clark). Based on chassis number the car should be 1907/08. Decision to modify to 1908 is based on chassis number, and Bonhams note for #5654, "The wheelbase suggests it was built in 1906 but the engine number indicates it was from the following year."
Production Figures for 1905 - 864
Production Figures for 1906 - 2458
Production Figures for 1907 - 3967
Production Figures for 1908 - 4105