Povertycove Posted March 17, 2020 Share Posted March 17, 2020 What would it take to transform a very solid 1933 REO sedan into an Olympic sedan? I know it would take a good Franklin engine. (adaptation engine to transmission?) A grille. Badges. Small dashboard changes. What else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Braverman Posted March 18, 2020 Share Posted March 18, 2020 Why would you want to do this? I think there may be more Olympic sedans surviving than REOs. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Povertycove Posted March 18, 2020 Author Share Posted March 18, 2020 The question is partly theoretical, though there is a nice 33 REO for sale on the HCCA website. But when I was putting together my 33 coupe last year, I wondered what the sum differences were. As I understand it, all Franklin did was change engine, grille, hood, lights and the “F” on the dashboard. Is that all? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hook Posted March 18, 2020 Share Posted March 18, 2020 Why would anyone wish to destroy a good REO, take a Franklin engine and body parts out of circulation, spend a lot of money on bodywork and frame conversion to create a worthless bastard that's neither Franklin or REO. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Braverman Posted March 18, 2020 Share Posted March 18, 2020 8 hours ago, Povertycove said: The question is partly theoretical, though there is a nice 33 REO for sale on the HCCA website. But when I was putting together my 33 coupe last year, I wondered what the sum differences were. As I understand it, all Franklin did was change engine, grille, hood, lights and the “F” on the dashboard. Is that all? The headlights get moved further up and forward. The front apron under the hood front gets cut. An Olympic specific bell housing will be needed, and well as an Olympic instrument panel. I had thought about doing this with a REO truck if I could find one, but it would have to be a very rough truck to justify bastardizing it. The REO truck enthusiasts would kill me. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Povertycove Posted March 19, 2020 Author Share Posted March 19, 2020 Thanks, Steve. That’s what I needed to know. Ive been curious about what the Syracuse factory had to do to make the conversion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f147pu Posted March 20, 2020 Share Posted March 20, 2020 The factory engineered the adaption from Reo to Olympic for $5000. Just so you know. Gordon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HH-Franklin-Library Posted April 12, 2020 Share Posted April 12, 2020 (edited) There is an almost "false fire-wall" panel floating under the hood that holds the Startix and other electrical fiddly bits. I wish that I had a picture or drawing but when I saw one, it struck me as a kludge to get things to work under duress. Edited April 12, 2020 by HH-Franklin-Library (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Braverman Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 On 4/11/2020 at 11:21 PM, HH-Franklin-Library said: There is an almost "false fire-wall" panel floating under the hood that holds the Startix and other electrical fiddly bits. I wish that I had a picture or drawing but when I saw one, it struck me as a kludge to get things to work under duress. I have owned four Olympics, and never seen this "false fire-wall." The Startix is attached to the rear of the air box, just as it is on my 1932 Airman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Povertycove Posted April 16, 2020 Author Share Posted April 16, 2020 Gordon, Its interesting that the entire re-engineering was done for only $5,000. Inexpensive, even in 1932. Do you have a source for finding out how this was accomplished? At some point the ACN is going to do a comprehensive history of the Olympic, (I believe the Club has some experts working on the project) and this would be an important aspect to the a Olympic story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Braverman Posted April 18, 2020 Share Posted April 18, 2020 On 4/16/2020 at 4:17 PM, Povertycove said: Gordon, Its interesting that the entire re-engineering was done for only $5,000. Inexpensive, even in 1932. Do you have a source for finding out how this was accomplished? At some point the ACN is going to do a comprehensive history of the Olympic, (I believe the Club has some experts working on the project) and this would be an important aspect to the a Olympic story. Check ACN #21 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Povertycove Posted April 21, 2020 Author Share Posted April 21, 2020 Good article,ACN #21,by Dr.Boyer.Answered all my questions. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Braverman Posted April 21, 2020 Share Posted April 21, 2020 12 hours ago, Povertycove said: Good article,ACN #21,by Dr.Boyer.Answered all my questions. As ACN Editor, you should glance through all the past issues. It will give you a great education on the cars and the club. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Povertycove Posted April 21, 2020 Author Share Posted April 21, 2020 We have complete sets both here in Sarasota and home in Maine. I read them often, but there’s quite a lot to absorb. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brooklyn Beer Posted April 23, 2020 Share Posted April 23, 2020 Almost bought that REO a few times over the past month till I found a 39 Chrysler with O/D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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