Mark Gregory Posted May 29, 2020 Share Posted May 29, 2020 (edited) This looks like a 1930's Reo Flying Cloud pickup truck. We know about Speedwagons but are not sure about this Flying Cloud pickup. I asked two Reo owners with quite a bit of knowledge about the Marque but both are unsure of the answer. Edited May 29, 2020 by Mark Gregory (see edit history) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nzcarnerd Posted May 29, 2020 Share Posted May 29, 2020 Looks like a circa 1928 sedan that has been converted into a pickup - or as we say on this side of the Pacific - a ute. A common thing back in the day, especially here in NZ when there were plenty of obsolete cars and not many factory pickups Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stakeside Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 Cars conversions to trucks was a common thing in the 40’s. The reason being the purchase of gas for commercial use vehicles. Some of these orphan trucks may have been cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 Converted car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
53Studie Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 Reo Motor Car Co did make some some passenger car styled pickups in this era. We knew little about them. Dave, Historian. R. E. Olds Transportation Museum 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30DodgePanel Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 (edited) 15 hours ago, 53Studie said: Reo Motor Car Co did make some some passenger car styled pickups in this era. We knew little about them. Dave, Historian. R. E. Olds Transportation Museum Dave, do you know if this is the Reo Jr 15 model with 115 wheelbase by looking at it ? Automotive Industries shows it as 1000lb capacity under the American Truck Chassis section. @ Mark G. where did you find this ? Like the other early 30's trucks of the era, this is a sharp body style. As always if you can get any kind of frame or ID tag info it might help properly identify if it was a UTE or a factory finish.. Edited June 3, 2020 by 30DodgePanel (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 I had this Terraplane for a while and its origin was pretty obvious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
53Studie Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 I will do some research in the Museum next week. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Gregory Posted June 3, 2020 Author Share Posted June 3, 2020 I was sent this picture by a fellow restoring a 1915 Reo Truck. He asked me if I knew anything about the truck and I replied no. I asked two knowledgeable Reo owners and they are unsure of the answer. https://www.mecum.com/lots/CA0817-299978/1930-reo-flying-cloud-pickup/ HIGHLIGHTS Featured in April 2014 issue of Vintage Truck Magazine Concours quality frame-off historically correct restoration by Tom Van Steyn of Full Circle Restoration in Lockeford, California 2nd place at Sacramento Autorama 2017 249 CI L-Head engine Aluminum pistons Original-style Champion spark plugs Woodbark Buff with Black fenders Mohair interior upholstery refreshed by Finish Line interiors in Santa Clara, California Engraved brass instrument panel Southern California truck Like its 1936 stablemate, this 1930 REO Master C Flying Cloud pickup discovered in Southern California was given a no-expense-spared, concours-quality frame-off restoration by Tom Van Steyn’s Full Circle Restoration in Lockeford, California. One of only two known to exist, this jewel-like pickup was based on the REO Flying Cloud Brougham passenger car, but there’s a fascinating twist to that fact: REO historians have expressed doubt that REO manufactured pickups for sale to the public when they built this truck. At the time, auto manufacturers typically built such vehicles for internal use or as prototypes; in either case, it is highly likely this truck was built by either REO or an outside contractor. Indeed, Van Steyn commented in the April 2014 issue of “Vintage Truck” Magazine that “the workmanship was too nice for it to have been made in someone’s garage, and we found another truck that is a year earlier but the bodywork is virtually identical,” a fact that strongly suggests both trucks were built by the same, albeit unknown, entity. Because the truck’s original engine could not be rebuilt, collector Michael Kisber purchased a complete, unrestored, original REO Flying Cloud, both as a reference for countless important details and as a source of rare parts. Van Steyn described the car’s value to the restoration as “priceless” and “worth its weight in gold.” The original truck was in solid condition, but the woodwork that formed the cab’s inner structure was rebuilt and much time was invested in making sure the cab was completed to the utmost precision. Not surprisingly for a company founded by brilliant perfectionist Ransom E. Olds, REO pickups were some of the most finely finished on the road, and a tremendous amount of research and effort was invested in making sure every detail was attended to, including restoring and using the original bolts from both the truck and the donor car that were exclusive to REO. Restoring the exquisite engraved exterior brightwork included hiring an artist to re-etch the details before rechroming. The beautiful brass instrument cluster dramatically depicting the clipper ship “Flying Cloud” was another demanding project, the finished piece a work of art unto itself. Full Circle finished the REO in the same combination of Woodbark Buff and black as originally applied, and Finish Line interiors in Santa Clara, California, reupholstered the Mohair interior. The 249 CI inline-6 L-head engine was rebuilt using aluminum pistons and features original-style Champion spark plugs. After five years of arduous work, the completed truck was featured in the April 2014 issue of “Vintage Truck” magazine; it went on to take second-place overall honors at the 2017 Sacramento Autorama, a close runner-up behind Kisber’s 1936 REO Speedwagon. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zepher Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 It's a great looking truck but I was disappointed to see the auction link didn't have a close up of the brass dash they mentioned in the write up. And would a pickup truck have had carpet in the interior? But it sure is a great looking truck. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe in Canada Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 Back in the day trucks were trucks as there were no SUV with such nice interior during the height of the depression. It was made by a talented fellow in later years are my feelings. Back then there were real body men where to-day we have r & r specialists. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30DodgePanel Posted June 4, 2020 Share Posted June 4, 2020 (edited) 10 hours ago, 53Studie said: I will do some research in the Museum next week. Dave Look into the 1928 and 29 BA 1/2 tons as well as the 1930 and 31 JR 15 1/2 tons. Due to the styling I'm thinking it could be the 1930 or 31 model JR 15 myself. I'm not a REO expert but have never seen an example of these early 1/2 tons in my searching... Sure wish we had a frame or serial # to go off of... Very unfortunate the original engine details aren't provided either. If those numbers were provided it could be validated. Here are the serial #'s I have from Pacific Coast Red Book dated November 1932. 1928-BA 1 and up 1929-BA 3092 and up 1930-JR15 2B-24254 and up 1931-JR15 2B-24254 and up also.. (same #'s. Error ?) As far as I can tell the 1930/31 models would have the 3 3/8x4 engine. If you need more info on the engine we may be able to track it down via Victor or McCord books along with other reference material. Edited June 4, 2020 by 30DodgePanel (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30DodgePanel Posted June 13, 2020 Share Posted June 13, 2020 On 6/3/2020 at 6:58 AM, 53Studie said: I will do some research in the Museum next week. Dave Anything turn up yet ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Dobbin Posted June 14, 2020 Share Posted June 14, 2020 This truck has served me well for over 30 years, it's 35 Ford V8. Made the back cover of the V8 Times Sept./Oct 2010 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 14, 2020 Share Posted June 14, 2020 The "STANDARD CATALOG OF AMERICAN Light Duty TRUCKS" 1896-1986 edition published by Krause Publications by John Gunnell shows , on page 751, a 1930 Reo Freemont Town Car Delivery that matches the OP's picture in many ways. Below is a 1931 Reo Cab Express which is almost like the OP's picture except for the radiator Shell. These two pictures plus the short text would lead me to believe that the OP's truck is a factory build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
53Studie Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 The Reo truck shown is based on a 1929 Reo Flying Cloud. It should have the Reo six 3 3/8 X 5". The Serial number should be on the left frame rail next to the steering gear. There probably is a sheet metal shield over it. I could not find any factory photos of Flying Cloud pickups. I did find the attached photo of a 1930 Model 15 also called a Speed Wagon Jr. It had a Continental six, 3 3/8 X 4" with a standard 115" wheelbase. The R. E. Olds Museum has a ambulance/hearse with this chassis. So, can't prove the truck was factory built but could with the S.N. Reo would build anything that they could sell during this period. Dave. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 (edited) The only problem with REO products was the same as International, they were so well engineered and built that their owners ran them forever. I turned this picture over for others convenience. Beautiful truck. Edited June 16, 2020 by Guest (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHuDWah Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 On 6/14/2020 at 6:43 PM, Tinindian said: The "STANDARD CATALOG OF AMERICAN Light Duty TRUCKS" 1896-1986 edition published by Krause Publications by John Gunnell shows , on page 751, a 1930 Reo Freemont Town Car Delivery that matches the OP's picture in many ways. Below is a 1931 Reo Cab Express which is almost like the OP's picture except for the radiator Shell. These two pictures plus the short text would lead me to believe that the OP's truck is a factory build. That Town Car Delivery is interesting. I've seen pix of the few surviving Model A Ford TCD but didn't know other manufacturers made them. I think it's the coolest commercial body style. 21 hours ago, Tinindian said: The only problem with REO products was the same as International, they were so well engineered and built that their owners ran them forever. I turned this picture over for others convenience. Beautiful truck. It looks almost "chopped." The roofline is kinda low on REO sedans but it's more obvious on the shorter truck cab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30DodgePanel Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 (edited) On 6/16/2020 at 11:36 AM, 53Studie said: The Reo truck shown is based on a 1929 Reo Flying Cloud. It should have the Reo six 3 3/8 X 5". The Serial number should be on the left frame rail next to the steering gear. There probably is a sheet metal shield over it. I could not find any factory photos of Flying Cloud pickups. I did find the attached photo of a 1930 Model 15 also called a Speed Wagon Jr. It had a Continental six, 3 3/8 X 4" with a standard 115" wheelbase. The R. E. Olds Museum has a ambulance/hearse with this chassis. So, can't prove the truck was factory built but could with the S.N. Reo would build anything that they could sell during this period. Dave. Hi Dave, I came across this recently. The brochure below is said to be from 1927-28. Any significance in your opinion? Based on the styling I'd guess the pickup in the OP to be a 1930-1931. Keeping this thread active incase others come across anything else that might help. Edited October 6, 2020 by 30DodgePanel (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 Little know fact....Buick built trucks also just before WW1. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank DuVal Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 Not unknown to Larry Schramm.😁 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
what is it? Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 the studebaker coupe express Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
what is it? Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 4 hours ago, edinmass said: Little know fact....Buick built trucks also just before WW1. as did oldsmobile. my neighbor has one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stakeside Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 Riding in style.$100 grand. Check it out. https://denver.craigslist.org/search/cta?min_auto_year=1920&max_auto_year=1940 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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