Guest Gump159 Posted March 20, 2010 Share Posted March 20, 2010 OK, Here is the story....In 1982 I bought a 1931 REO Royale Victoria 8-35 in Argentina and had it shipped to Seattle. It took a little fresh gas and a new battery and the car fired right up. I drove it around for a while then started a frame up restoration. This car was originally purchased and shipped to Argentina by an ESSO executive and remained in his possession until WWII, then owned and driven daily by the same gent until I bought it. The good news and the bad news: The soft top was replaced and welded in solidThe original trunk was replaced with a lidThe spokes on the wire wheels were tacked in place on the rimThere were some rust out spots in the fenders and battery boxMost of the body wood was replaced in Seattle, the original wood is still intact and availableThere were a number of small dents here and there (running boards)All of the paint has been stripped and primered grayThe seats have been re-upholstered twice (3 layers of covering)Extra:Engine and transmission Running boards (Amateur restoration)Headlights (originals were converted to sealed beam)Taillights & stantions (complete with the correct lenses both clear and red)An assortment of literature, including a copy/copy of a shop manualMissing:Title and RegistrationOne exterior door handleOne fender light ClockSome of the Detroit Lubricator fittingsTrunk boxHub caps and wheel covers (I have one "Lyon" cover)This car is in my garage in Seattle and I have now lived in Dallas for several years, my interests have changed and I am considering selling this car. I have no recent pictures of any of the restoration/disassembly, I can only tell you what I remember of it. The car was taken apart and the nuts & bolts were put in labeled boxes and pieces preserved as best we could. I may be able to get someone in the shop to take some pictures of the body/parts and pieces.John_Maddock@Yahoo.comIn twenty five years I have seen only one Victoria in restorable condition come up for sale, Hemmings could find records of no other Victoria since this one (Sept/Aug 82).The current Old Car price guide (June 09) lists the value of this car as described between a #6 at $1280 to #5 at $3840. Gents, let me be real frank here, I won't even consider letting go of this fine car at these prices. Particularly when I see a fender light sell on E Bay for $410. I have no intention of "Parting Out" this car, I'd leave it in the garage for another 25 years first. It will not be practical and I have no interest in flying to Seattle and show this fine car to a bunch of "Looky Leweys" but I will make the trip with a substantial deposit on hand. I realize this is right up there with “Buying a Pig in the Polk”, but maybe something can be worked out. If you are interested or need to learn more info, please start a dialog via this posting or e-mail me at John_Maddock@Yahoo.com. What I propose is this, if you are interested in owning and completing the restoration of this car to it's full potential, make me an offer based on these points: This is a restorable & extremely rare (5 to 7 known to exist), Classic Automobile as listed by The CCCA. I will certainly consider all offers that are reasonable based on the preceding information.Thank you for your interest and understanding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TG57Roadmaster Posted March 20, 2010 Share Posted March 20, 2010 (edited) TG's Recipe For Disaster:Take a deserving old car, in this case, a full-blown True Classic.Add a vague, but highly-decorative description.Throw in a good measure of the goods and bads.Whet your guest's appetites, but don't forget to exclude photos.Toss out the title and registration, a faux pas at any car connoisseur's table.Mix it all together in large boxes and bins, carefully fold in a generous dash of attitude...Et voila! We're all ready to run screaming from the table. TGaka Lookey Lewey Edited March 21, 2010 by TG57Roadmaster (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F&J Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 The "trunk" mods sounded like a huge problem, but there are at least two cars on google images that have fairly good pics of that area. The trunk seems very simple in design, and likely easy to fabricate.I would have put the best pic up here of a red car in storage, but the photo is copyrighted.Interesting that some pics have a rack and one does not.Well, the market is pretty gloomy for projects and may never recover, but I hope someone gets it back together again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 (edited) Dismantled projects are always tough sells. On the plus side, I think we could all agree that a REO Royale Victoria is a desirable & cool car. The only way to sell something like this is lots and lots of detailed clear pictures and a very detailed inventory of what parts are in the disassembled lot. I agree that the car is worth more then the 4 or 5k blue book. However, keep in mind that the prospective new owner will never get their money back on a restoration, even if you give them the car. I've posted in some other threads a Victoria with a completely polished aluminum top. I don't think it would be the greatest sin to simply finish it off (assuming it's not a hack job) the way it is and paint it. Frank makes a good point on the trunk too. The wheels are probably ruined or at least would be cost prohibitive to fix so some other wheels will need to be sourced. Was there a set posted recently - I thought I remember a set for a Royale.The last thing is the title would be a huge problem in my state. It may make the most sense if you can prove you imported the car from Argentina in 1982 that you title it before selling it. Edited March 21, 2010 by alsancle I hate spelling mistakes (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 I wanted to add that you definitely need to advertise in the REO club newsletter as well as the CCCA newsletter. Those two publications will hit your target audience perfectly. Here is the picture of the victoria with the polished roof. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
llopdoro Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 There was a 1931 REO Royale Victoria 8-35 for sale at White Glove Car Collection in Wisconsin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehandleman Posted September 20, 2010 Share Posted September 20, 2010 Hello, Take a look at my ebay item number 220670096317 and tell me if this is the missing exterior handle for your reo royale victoria Thanks RB been told stutz lincoln chrysler but looks like pictures of your car,just a thought if it was yours there is the missing handle for your car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gump159 Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 Nice looking door handle, but it is not for a Royale. Royales have a 180 degree swept back curve. Thanks for thinking of me..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehandleman Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 no problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted May 19, 2013 Share Posted May 19, 2013 I believe this is your car up for sale on Hemmings. 1931 Reo Royale Victoria Coupe for sale | Hemmings Motor News Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F&J Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Well I hope it gets back to original. Yes, a lot of money will be needed to restore it, but the current pricing is not too bad in my opinion, as far as what it could be. In other words, I don't feel the seller is trying to get greedy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 I agree. A fairly priced CCCA Full Classic but a major financial undertaking to restore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimacar Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Yes, I agree, a fair down payment on a wonderful CCCA car......hope someone swoops in and gets started on it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted May 25, 2013 Share Posted May 25, 2013 Now and then we toy with the idea of establishing a lower hourly labor rate for pre-war cars in an effort to get more of them into the shop. We cut our teeth on them and surely enjoy working on older vehicles but inevitably more and more of the work that comes in is '50s and now some '60s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimacar Posted May 25, 2013 Share Posted May 25, 2013 That's happening in a local shop also, used to be the late owner would only take in pre-1948 or so cars, now to keep busy it's 50's and 60's. There's one early sedan in the shop now, late 20's, but that's rare now at that particular shop.....It is a shame things are so expensive to restore now, chrome, paint, mechanical, and labor throw the costs through the roof.... this Royale would bring good money restored, but still not the sum that a professional shop would cost.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted May 25, 2013 Share Posted May 25, 2013 The nice older restoration in blue earlier in this thread sold for around 60k. There was an older restoration in the club newsletter last year for 45k. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
llopdoro Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 John Maddock is selling his Reo Royale 8-35 Victoria through an add in HMN but always without pictures:REO: 1931 Royale Victoria coupe, restoration project, last driven 1982, restoration started and has been stored in Seattle; extremely rare, Full Classic as recognized by the CCCA, some extra parts, missing door handle, fender light, clock, great potential, $15,000 obo. 206-218-5240, WA; Price: $15,000 If I search on Google, there is also an other telephone number ........... near Forth Worth, TX, let 817-301-9195, as apparently the car is in Rockwall, TX. The car! it is a great word because we never have seen a picture of it. In which state it was on September 20, 2010, when he posted the history and in which state it can be now four years later??? WE CAN NOT PURCHASE A CAT IN A BAG !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Zobian Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 It is very interesting that Mr. Maddock could import a car from Argentina without a Title and registration. I would think those documents would be necessary to both let the car leave Argentina and also be allowed to enter the U.S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 The Hemmings ad did have pictures at one point. The car is diassembled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V.Milke Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 The Victoria is still owned by John Maddock. I talked to him and he was kind enough to refer me to his son Jack and let me see the car and take many pics which will help in my restoration. John lives in Texas, but his son lives in Seattle at the property where the car is kept. The car is almost completely appart, with good wood, a good body... but it will need a complete restoration. It would be a nice project for somebody having the time and cash to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AlCapone Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Is there a pre take apart photo and a firm asking price and are all and I mean all the parts there ? Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Here you go. Courtesy of our friend Victor who saw the car not too long ago. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AlCapone Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 and are there any parts missing and what is the price ? Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 pm victor - v.milke above and he will help you contact the seller. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 The nice older restoration in blue earlier in this thread sold for around 60k. There was an older restoration in the club newsletter last year for 45k.To clarify my comments, the powder blue 8-35 sold 4 or 5 years ago. The one in the club newsletter was a 8-31 older restoration. I do not believe it has been sold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted March 18, 2017 Share Posted March 18, 2017 So the scuttlebutt that I have heard is that the subject car of this thread from Washington has been sold and is in Colorado now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff_a Posted March 30, 2017 Share Posted March 30, 2017 Significant Cars of Indianapolis has a Reo Royale Victoria Coupe for sale on its site, "car taken apart to rebuild engine", with 26 photos. Black car, unrestored, front of body & motor off of car, engine still not done. Can I assume this is the same Reo the OP described 7 years ago? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Gregory Posted April 29, 2020 Share Posted April 29, 2020 http://significantcars.com/cars/1931reo/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted April 29, 2020 Share Posted April 29, 2020 28 minutes ago, Mark Gregory said: http://significantcars.com/cars/1931reo/ Mark, I believe the car is off the market until the coupe restoration (you can see it in the back of some of the pictures is completed). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Mereness Posted April 30, 2020 Share Posted April 30, 2020 18 hours ago, alsancle said: Mark, I believe the car is off the market until the coupe restoration (you can see it in the back of some of the pictures is completed). Give Shawn a call - he is always pleased to talk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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