Mark Osborne
Global Director of Motorsport
LOT 43 ¤
1917 REO Model M Touring Engine no. 15552
Sold for US$14,560 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 43¤
From the Minden Automotive Museum
1917 REO Model M Touring
1917 REO Model M Touring
1917 REO Model M Touring
Engine no. 15552
Engine no. 15552
307ci Overhead Valve Inline Six-Cylinder
Carter BB-1 Carburetor
45bhp at 1,800rpm
Three Speed Manual Transmission
Live Axles with Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs
Contracting Band Mechanical Rear Brakes
* One of REO's most successful years
* Robust 45bhp 307 cubic inch overhead valve six
* Handsome coachwork
* Preserved for over 60 years
* Prime for recommissioning
THE CAR OFFERED
The Curved Dash Oldsmobile Model R was a well-known success and its inventor, Ransom Eli Olds, want to continue with more in the same affordable vein. His financial backer, Samuel Smith, a lumber baron, disagreed and, as the saying goes, "He who has the gold wins." Olds was out in 1904. Barely six months later he started the R.E. Olds Company. The Smiths (father and sons) objected to the use of the name Olds, with documents to back them up, but their lawyers failed to perceive the need to protect initials. Thus, the REO Motor Car Company was born, an artifice that everyone saw through immediately.
REO's first cars were a single and a twin. They continued until 1910 when a 35hp four was introduced, even Ransom Olds seeing the financial realities of selling bigger, more expensive cars. The first six, the Model M, appeared in 1916 and a year later the fours were gone. It was thoroughly modern for the time with an overhead valve 307 cubic inch engine, 45 brake horsepower and a 3-speed sliding gear transmission. The suspension used semi-elliptical leaf springs on live axles, and the brakes were contracting bands on rear wheel drums. It was thoroughly modern, up-to-date, and competitive. 25,577 units were sold in 1917.
This 1917 REO Model M Touring was acquired for the Minden Automotive Museum through a Park-Bernet auction at Arthur Rippey's in Denver in November 1967, one of four lots (all offered in this auction) bought there. It is an interesting car.
The grille surround is slightly concave, an unusual shape that required extra metal finishing to render and the hood flows smoothly into the tapered cowl. The overhead valve engine is probably of most interest, not to mention its 45 horsepower and the generous torque of its long stroke engine. Equipment includes Sewell wind wings, Guide headlights, body color wood spoke wheels, jump seats, individual bucket-style front seats, a Stewart speedometer and a winged Moto Meter radiator cap. The engine has a single updraft Carter BB-1 carburetor. Finished in primrose yellow with black fenders and aprons, the upholstery is black leather, and the top is black leatherette.
It appears to have been the subject of an older restoration and is titled by its engine number which should be the same as its vehicle number. The old paint reflects its age with chips and scratches, the top's rear window is yellowed, and the speedometer face is faded and dirty. The upholstery and top are sound but aged and the engine compartment is orderly but dusty from years on display.
Its history since acquisition in 1967 by the Minden Automotive Museum has been benign although the last time it was driven is probably before many collectors' grandchildren were born. Sound and complete, it offers an opportunity to acquire and recommission an historic and powerful automobile from the fertile mind of Ransom Eli Olds.
Footnotes
Titled under its engine number.
Additional information
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| ¤ | No Reserve |
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