Vehicle Description
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This beautiful 1908 antique car is a survivor of the 4th year of production of the REO Motor Car Co. After selling all interests in Oldsmobile in 1904 after irreconcilable squabbles with Oldsmobile management, Ransom Eli Olds used his initials to label his new company. Olds began producing motor cars starting in 1905 with two cylinder vehicles, and later that year Olds introduced the single cylinder REO ‘Runabout.’ Labeled the ‘Model B,’ this inexpensive alternative to the two cylinder ‘Model A’ REO was nearly half the cost of its more powerful sibling, and retailed (FOB Lansing, Michigan) for $650.00, and an upcharge of $25 was added for the fold down rear seat, popularly called the ‘mother-in-law-seat.’
Upon my purchase of this car on May 24th, 2011, all original components of this fabulous vehicle were in either fair or fair/poor condition, and nearly all have been either painted or polished, and not replaced unless absolutely necessary. The goal was to bring this car into drivable condition and keep it as original as humanly possible. If any component was deemed to be beyond reasonable condition to bear up under touring conditions, I replaced it but kept the original pieces and parts and have saved them for inclusion with the sale of the car if so desired, such as the original fuel line and fittings. I would estimate that this car is approximately 98% original, with the following major replacement parts:
Ø Two floor boards
Ø Both running boards
Ø Starting crank handle
Ø Battery box top
Ø Dash board
Ø Mahogany steering wheel
Ø All four tires and tubes
Ø Brass horn and bulb
Ø Upholstery, using original seat springs
Ø Top bows, irons and canvas (this was not on the original car, but brackets in the seat were present for addition of a fold down top
Ø REO radiator emblem
Ø Two six-volt batteries
Ø Radiator tank
Ø Mother-in-law rear folding seat
This car has a valid 1908 Illinois title, although the current title lists the model as a 'Roadster.' After much research and validation though many members of the REO Club of America, this car has been identified clearly as a Model B Runabout through REO VIN numbers issued during the 1908 model year, as well as visual identification with the members contacted. YouTube video of the car running prior to installation of the top and rear folding seat can be seen at the following link: http://www.youtube.1908REO_in_fine running condition:
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