Olds story is interesting one, thanks for sharing. Couldn't help but notice how straight the panels are on this. I'm certain it's been restored, but it also speaks to the quality of the Reo. Happy New Year ~ Chuck
Ransom Eli Olds influence on the ENTIRE course of the American motor industry from inception to direction is grossly underestimated. The documented history of this GENIUS is phenomenal.
I love this museum! my girlfriend took me here for my birthday and I wanted to stay all day long. It's so cool seeing all the unique cars on display. Definitely need to go back for another look.
It changes regularly. We either get new cars or swap some out for cars that haven't been on the floor. I'm there very week and I regularly see something that has been moved or added.
Natural tendency is to shift gears with the right hand. With right hand drive, that puts the gear shift lever to the right- outside the cockpit. With left hand drive , designers and engineers saw that it made sense because the gear shift lever was still to the right, but centered in the middle, out of the weather.
Name one company that had three bands named after it. In addition to REO Speedwagon there’s the country band Diamond-REO and an earlier glam rock band by the same name.
I love old cars, and this 1909 Reo is an excellent example of a distinguished, elegant-looking automobile. And $1250!! That was a lot of money, back in the day.
This is fascinating. Ever since I discovered the Engels Coach Shop channel ive been very interested in the transition between horse-drawn wagon and early cars. They really were horseless carriages.
Is this where the Rock Group REO Speed wagon got their name??? Its amazing to have a puzzle piece fall into place you aren't even looking for 50 years later...
The garage in our Dutch village converted two army surplus trucks to tow-trucks in the seventies, one of those was a REO and it was known locally as 'Thé REO' and you knew that there had been a car crash or something else where some 'muscles' were needed.
hey Rick, i can tell by your comment that you have NEVER seen acetylene lamps being used. a miner friend of mine once brought along several miners style lamps for our Classic Car Club to see, he gave a superb talk on the history of acetylene lamps, and as he has the permits, ignited one for us, the light is a VERY BRIGHT WHITE light, far superior to the yellow electric lamps most of us are used to prior to the super bright lights on modern cars.
I had a 1949 Olds 88 and named it Ransom, it came with a push button 🔘 starter. In 2021 we retired overseas and bought a 2021 Toyota Wigo. The dealer said it was the first year that came with a push button starter. I replied "what took you so long? My 1949 Olds had one.
The button, either on dash or floor, came first. Like, its actually way more complicated to build it in the key switch and was a way to make it easier since you were putting the key in anyway.
All CAPS, is R.E.O the initials, not Rio the South American city, is how it was explained to me decades and decades ago. This is a good video so Thanks You.
Love the REO cars and the truck. Seeing the shine on this car I have always wondered about the paint in that era. Eas itvas shiny asvyodays psintnorvwas it a bit duller in sheen. Just asking.
It's not one of the earliest cars as cars had been around for 25 years back then. However, it's one of the first friendly gasoline cars to followed up EVs that had been more popular until then.
Henry Ford, Henry Ford, Henry Ford...I swear why do people always claim he did everything first? There where other car manufacturers that had left hand steering before Ford, even Chevrolet had left hand steering from the start 1908 same year Ford had left hand steering. Even Oldsmobile had the first assembly line before Ford, yet he gets the credit. Ford had the first flathead V8 they say, yet Cadillac had them in 1914, a good 18 years earlier. I even hear Ford had the first overhead valve V8 in 1954, yet Chevrolet had them in 1917. I expect more from people that's supposed to be knowledgeable. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate Fords, Henry did a good job of making an affordable car to the masses, and helped produce goods for WW2, but that's about it.
It's not that Henry Ford did it first, he just did it more successfully. The model T sold in numbers that were massive. He took other people's ideas and incorporated them into his own company, but he often perfected them to a better degree. He didn't invent the assembly line, but he used it to both improve quality and lower prices.
Normally the engine in american veteran and brass era, 1900 till 1907 circa was in the center of the cars, under the drivers seat, the bonnet was false "in French fashion", american cars was so, european most posh cars was with anterior motor layout yet, I know those things why i (from Italy) try to makes model cars in brass and wood in 1 : 20 scale of american cars of brass era : Oldsmobile Curved dash, Northern runabout, Rambler model C, Ford A, Stanley Steamer etc etc.
@rickdebruhlcars Yes but european cars was yet with front motors from the beginning, the false hood or bonnet in american cars was for a imitation of european prestigious cars : French bonnet
I like that car... where can I buy it? I've got a fistful of cash and I'm hot to buy a new car. I can afford 650 dollars. Everything is simple to understand and out in the open where you can get a wrench on it.
Up here in BC we drove on the left hand side of the road up until 1921. Just did a little research and it appears a lot of the USA did the same. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left-_and_right-hand_traffic
That was a fantastic little history lesson. Much enjoyed!
Glad you enjoyed it
There's a whole history book wrapped up in that REO. Well researched and presented.
Ransom Olds is one of the important automotive pioneers. He gave Ford a run for his money.
Olds story is interesting one, thanks for sharing. Couldn't help but notice how straight the panels are on this. I'm certain it's been restored, but it also speaks to the quality of the Reo. Happy New Year ~ Chuck
This car came out of the Harrah's collection so it's been treated right over the years.
Ransom Eli Olds influence on the ENTIRE course of the American motor industry from inception to direction is grossly underestimated. The documented history of this GENIUS is phenomenal.
Very true. He and Henry Ford battled head to head. Both were convinced that they needed to build cars for the common man.
Ah, the REO Speedwagon!
They continued building Diamond REO’s in Pennsylvania until 2010!
I didn't realize that they were still using the name that long!
I've been to the Oldsmobile museum in Lansing twice. It's very cool. Ransom even had a turntable for cars at his house
Another museum I'd like to visit.
Really enjoying all of your videos. Thanks much Rick! PS I remember you on channel 12.
Thanks! Channel 12 was a great place to work. Of course, these days I just play with cars!
I love this museum! my girlfriend took me here for my birthday and I wanted to stay all day long. It's so cool seeing all the unique cars on display. Definitely need to go back for another look.
It changes regularly. We either get new cars or swap some out for cars that haven't been on the floor. I'm there very week and I regularly see something that has been moved or added.
Natural tendency is to shift gears with the right hand. With right hand drive, that puts the gear shift lever to the right- outside the cockpit. With left hand drive , designers and engineers saw that it made sense because the gear shift lever was still to the right, but centered in the middle, out of the weather.
Name one company that had three bands named after it. In addition to REO Speedwagon there’s the country band Diamond-REO and an earlier glam rock band by the same name.
I'd never heard of them!
@@rickdebruhlcars Turns out the country band spells it Diamond Rio. The glam band never caught the golden ring, unfortunately.
I lived in Lansing during the 1960s, Diamond REO was still making trucks.
Not this story again😮 i've already heard it from a friend who heard it from a friend who heard it from another you've been messing around.😅
You are a very well informed and great presenter. Right on the heels of that Steve guy we all know and love. Love your videos.
Steve knows more about cars than anyone I know... and I know a lot of car people!
What a superb presentation thank you.
Glad you liked it!
The first time I saw one I got a ride in it, It was 1986 , It is that experience that got me into old cars #Aztec73
I'd love to drive one some day.
When they quit cars and went to trucks, I believe they made firetrucks also.
And busses!
Beautiful car.
I also have a REO and it runs. It's a tiny 4 cycle snow blower. You got a nice car there.
I didn't have time to mention the snow blowers!
I love old cars, and this 1909 Reo is an excellent example of a distinguished, elegant-looking automobile. And $1250!! That was a lot of money, back in the day.
Great Story, Love Automotive History. My Father was parted that History.
This is fascinating. Ever since I discovered the Engels Coach Shop channel ive been very interested in the transition between horse-drawn wagon and early cars. They really were horseless carriages.
Absolutely. The earliest cars were just buggies without the horses.
I learned to drive with a Valiant like that red one in the background.❤
Is this where the Rock Group REO Speed wagon got their name??? Its amazing to have a puzzle piece fall into place you aren't even looking for 50 years later...
Can't imagine how scary 45mph would be sitting 10 feet up in the back seats.
You must be a dwarf if that looks like ten feet
Over bumpy and rutted roads!
The garage in our Dutch village converted two army surplus trucks to tow-trucks in the seventies, one of those was a REO and it was known locally as 'Thé REO' and you knew that there had been a car crash or something else where some 'muscles' were needed.
REO saves the day!
hey Rick, i can tell by your comment that you have NEVER seen acetylene lamps being used.
a miner friend of mine once brought along several miners style lamps for our Classic Car Club to see, he gave a superb talk on the history of acetylene lamps, and as he has the permits, ignited one for us, the light is a VERY BRIGHT WHITE light, far superior to the yellow electric lamps most of us are used to prior to the super bright lights on modern cars.
You're right. I've only heard the stories. Some day I'd like to see them in operation.
The advertisement with a capital R and lower case eo indicates it was transitioning to a word and away from initials.
I've seen ads from that era that have both "Reo" and "REO". Not a lot of consistency!
I had a 1949 Olds 88 and named it Ransom, it came with a push button 🔘 starter. In 2021 we retired overseas and bought a 2021 Toyota Wigo. The dealer said it was the first year that came with a push button starter. I replied "what took you so long? My 1949 Olds had one.
The button, either on dash or floor, came first. Like, its actually way more complicated to build it in the key switch and was a way to make it easier since you were putting the key in anyway.
There were all kinds of innovations that were forgotten once we standardized automobiles.
R E O Ransom Edward Olds. Yeah, that Olds.
one of my scout leaders has an reo work vehicle decked out like a ny daily news delivery truck.. he had it up recently at a scout supported car show
All CAPS, is R.E.O the initials, not Rio the South American city, is how it was explained to me decades and decades ago. This is a good video so Thanks You.
Many of the ads from that era spell it "Reo" as opposed to "REO". But some spell it "REO". Absolutely no consistency!
Thank you Rick
Thanks for watching!
So we get to hear the jaw flap but not the engine run -- does it even run?
It does, but we can't crank it up in the museum. The museum cars have no batteries (they only die from sitting) and very little fuel.
Every time I see REO I think about ELO.
And not REO Speedwagon?
Love the REO cars and the truck. Seeing the shine on this car I have always wondered about the paint in that era. Eas itvas shiny asvyodays psintnorvwas it a bit duller in sheen. Just asking.
What about the clutch and shift?
Will it start if the backup camera goes out?
That's what the rear passengers are for...
It's not one of the earliest cars as cars had been around for 25 years back then. However, it's one of the first friendly gasoline cars to followed up EVs that had been more popular until then.
Gas, kerosene, steam and electricity were all being used. It was a grand time to be an inventor.
I only saw this car in Murdoch's Mysteries. I never heard about REO and thought it was a fake name for a car, made just for the TV Series
And now the mystery is solved!
Ridin' the Storm Out
RH drive. Crazy. But at those speeds, why not?
Horrible conditions for the riders of cars at the time, except for the electric cars marketed to women and ultraluxury cars marketed to ultrarich.
Henry Ford, Henry Ford, Henry Ford...I swear why do people always claim he did everything first? There where other car manufacturers that had left hand steering before Ford, even Chevrolet had left hand steering from the start 1908 same year Ford had left hand steering. Even Oldsmobile had the first assembly line before Ford, yet he gets the credit. Ford had the first flathead V8 they say, yet Cadillac had them in 1914, a good 18 years earlier. I even hear Ford had the first overhead valve V8 in 1954, yet Chevrolet had them in 1917. I expect more from people that's supposed to be knowledgeable. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate Fords, Henry did a good job of making an affordable car to the masses, and helped produce goods for WW2, but that's about it.
It's not that Henry Ford did it first, he just did it more successfully. The model T sold in numbers that were massive. He took other people's ideas and incorporated them into his own company, but he often perfected them to a better degree. He didn't invent the assembly line, but he used it to both improve quality and lower prices.
Normally the engine in american veteran and brass era, 1900 till 1907 circa was in the center of the cars, under the drivers seat, the bonnet was false "in French fashion", american cars was so, european most posh cars was with anterior motor layout yet, I know those things why i (from Italy) try to makes model cars in brass and wood in 1 : 20 scale of american cars of brass era : Oldsmobile Curved dash, Northern runabout, Rambler model C, Ford A, Stanley Steamer etc etc.
Henry Ford definitely changed everything.
@rickdebruhlcars Yes but european cars was yet with front motors from the beginning, the false hood or bonnet in american cars was for a imitation of european prestigious cars : French bonnet
Name people who had more than two car companies named after them. Let us start with Benz, Daimler and Horch.
I'd never heard of August Horch. Thanks!
starboard side steering? reimport?
i need to watch before i comment
I like that car... where can I buy it? I've got a fistful of cash and I'm hot to buy a new car. I can afford 650 dollars.
Everything is simple to understand and out in the open where you can get a wrench on it.
It's amazing how it can be simple and complex at the same time.
Boxer engine?
Yep. Horizontally opposed like VW and Ferrari!
You can't use the word evolution, according to evolutionist.
This guys History ,Sloppy and confusing .
Up here in BC we drove on the left hand side of the road up until 1921. Just did a little research and it appears a lot of the USA did the same. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left-_and_right-hand_traffic
Funny how we assume driving on the right was always the norm. Things were a lot different back then.