Early REO

[heybeez]

I'm told it's a 1917 REO, but my "Standard Catalog of American Cars" doesn't show any 1917 auto production. As near as I can tell, it's a 1918 judging by the windshield frame and attachment points, but I'm not 100% sure. Obviously, it was cut down at sometime to make a "pickup". It looks like it was originally a open tourer, but this is my first REO and my first Pre-War. Also, I'm getting a new title for it (off of a bill of sale), and I want to make sure the year is right. Would the disc wheels be right for the year? All the pictures I see are wooden spoke wheels.

 

Thanks for your help,

 

Brent

Edited March 23, 2019 by heybeez (see edit history)

[keiser31]

Looks to be a 1918 by the lower windshield contours. may have Nash disc wheels on it.

Edited March 23, 2019 by keiser31 (see edit history)

[PFindlay]

Brent, you may want to join the Four Cylinder REO group to connect with other REO owners:  

http://reofour@yahoogroups.com

 

I have some spare engine parts, if you're looking for something.

 

Peter

 

[heybeez]

keiser31 and Peter, thank you for the advice. I'll look into the 4 cyl REO group. 

 

Thanks again,

Brent

[sagefinds]

The disc wheels are Chevrolet around 1929.

[AHa]

Chevrolet disc wheels found their way onto a lot of old cars as the wood rotted out of the original wood wheels and the larger tire sizes became no longer available. Chevrolets had metal skinned wood bodies which rotted quickly when left out in the weather making wheels available for other cars. It is interesting to note how form followed function through the years with our old cars.