The United States car maker REO was founded in 1904 by Ransom Eli Olds, and started production with two distinct models, powered by 1 cylinder and 2 cylinder engines respectively. The single cylinder model produced 8 HP and had a top speed of 45 km/h. The engine was placed horizontally in the centre of the car, under the two seats. In spite of this, the car sported an elegant bonnet. This was of course just a dummy, and was purely cosmetic. The price was 685 dollars. While bigger and faster, the two cylinder model was not very different: this could top 60 km/h and – in ‘Touring’ guise – carry 5 occupants. This was sold at between 1000 and 1250 dollars. Both models were simple, inexpensive and rather efficient cars.But their greatest strength was fuel economy: as proven in 1907 when a single cylinder Reo won a very long distance economy run. With the exception of an unsuccessful attempt to launch a four cylinder model in 1906, Reo focused entirely on these two models, which continued to sell well until 1910, for over five years. Reo began overhauling its range in 1911, and shortly afterwards its old models had been completely replaced. The fortunes of the Reo brand rose and fell – although there were also significant models such as the Flying Cloud of 1927 – and the brand ceased to exist in 1936.
Engine: 2 horizontally opposed cylinders
Power: 18-20 bhp
Gearbox: 2 forward speeds + reverse
Speed: 70 Km/h
