Grandpa Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 Photo of Ransom E. Olds and his children in a toy car circa 1908. Any suggestions as to the year and model of the toy Oldsmobile?Grandpa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandpa Posted July 12, 2009 Author Share Posted July 12, 2009 Second try at photo post.Grandpa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Xprefix28truck Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 No idea Grandpa.. But I bet that thing is still around somewhere, I wish it was hiding at my house!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldford Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 It's the Baby REO. Story was that it was built for R.E Olds' children and was a 1/2 scale replica of the 1905 Reo 2 cylinder touring. It was in a private collection up til about 6 months ago when it went up for auction. RE Olds' children bought it and donated it to the REO museum in Lansing.Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 Frank, Is this the same car that was restored by Dick Teague about 20-25 years ago? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandpa Posted July 12, 2009 Author Share Posted July 12, 2009 Images of the restored Baby Reo toy car from the Reo Museum.Grandpa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 That's AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 WOW, I will need to go to Lansing and look at that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Brian Scott Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 So is it like a old time power wheel? Does it drive? I might have to go with my wife to see her family in Grand rapids next time just to have an excuse to go see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 (edited) It seems to me that I read somewhere that a similar car was built and used in the Barnum and Bailey Circus and driven frequently by General Tom Thumb, So yes, It was fully functional. Dandy Dave!And here it is...Baby REO back on home turf after 102-year road trip | The San Diego Union-Tribune Edited July 13, 2009 by Dandy Dave (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30sclassics Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 This is an exact 1/2 scale working model of the 1906 Reo. (It was not a toy.) It was made in the Reo factory in 1905 for the 1906 New York Auto Show. The "baby" Reo was used by the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circuses from the mid teens to about 1936. Due to fire hazards, it was converted to run on compressed air while in the circus. Later, it was converted back to run on gasoline. Yes, it is the car restored by Richard Teague in the mid-1980's. Mr. Teague also purchased and restored a full size model of the 1906 Reo. The current owners of the two cars are descendants of R.E. Olds. The cars are on loan to the Oldsmobile Museum in Lansing. There is a good article about the cars and the Olds family at the following website: REOlds Trans. Museum Highlights Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Thank you for that link Dave! Hope everyone takes the time to read it. I always enjoy reading those start to finish car history stories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldford Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Bob, it is the very same Reo.Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest forbradley Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 i have something that is similar but diffrent which i can find no information on...does anyone know of a hackney manufactured by gordon w. morton co. Greensbourough n.c. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 i have something that is similar but diffrent which i can find no information on...does anyone know of a hackney manufactured by gordon w. morton co. Greensbourough n.c.Got a photo of it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest forbradley Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 here are the pictures of the car that i have Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Lichtfel Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 I saw the baby REO at Peeble a few years ago. It was displayed with a full sized Reo just like it. It was in the Barnum and Bailey circus and driven by Tom Thumb with other midgets riding with him. They had original circus posters showing it so it must have been original or a very good clone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LouisRugani Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 Hackneys were introduced in 1957 by the Gordon W. Morton Co. on High Point Road in Greensboro NC and were advertised for use by all ages "from 3 to 103". You have the Deluxe model which included the lightning-bolt trim, plexiglas windshield, 6v head/tail lights and a battery-operated horn. All models included a trailer hitch. Engines were 2hp and manufacturers varied. L: 71"; H: 19"; W: 26-1/2"; weight: 185 lbs. A single hand lever controlled all forward/reverse motion and brakes. Throttle is dash-mounted and top speed is 6mph. It looks like yours is very complete and restorable. I have a Hackney brochure; one appeared on eBay a few years ago. I recommend the Microcars site at Microcars : . . . big talk about little cars! . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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