One thing that doesn’t turn up often here at Barn Finds is an REO – regardless of either a car or truck model. Today’s find, a 1928 REO Wolverine, is considered, of course, to be a barn find – what else, right? Unfortunately, there’s no backstory around who, what, where, and when. That being the case, let’s see what can be determined about this rare find. At 94 years young, this four-door sedan is located in Lincoln, Nebraska and is available, here on eBay for a BIN price of $8,889 – there is a make an offer option too.
Many of you will recognize the REO name as it’s the initials of Ransom E. Olds, founder of Oldsmobile. Olds started REO in 1905 and the company was in active production through 1975. Passenger car operations ceased in 1936 but truck production continued as Reo (stylized name change) went through a succession of ownership changes, ultimately ending up as truck manufacturer Diamond Reo. The last of the Diamond Reo trucks were produced, under bankruptcy conditions, in 1975, and then the company and its assets were liquidated. I would suggest this chronology if more information on Reo is desired.
According to the REO club, the Wolverine was a short-lived model produced in 1927 and 1928. Offered in three different body styles, it was considered a lower-priced model and saw total production of about 14K copies over two years, assuming a proper understanding of the chassis serial numbering convention. The exterior of our subject car is sound and complete save for the obvious deterioration of the roof and running board coverings. There’s evidence of surface rust but nothing more offending than that. In its day, the green finished body with black fenders probably made quite a styling statement.
The engine is not well described, other than to say the usual, “ran when parked“, but it appears to be a Continental sourced 50 HP, 199 CI, in-line six-cylinder unit. It is said that the engine turns over so that’s good to know. Hunting around the AACA forum site, it sounds as if there are some parts still available for this no longer commonly encountered motor.
The seller states, and I’ll emphasize, “Roof and Interior Are Trash“. So much so that it makes one wonder what happened. It looks weather related as if the material top covering, along with its frame, gave out allowing the weather to decimate the interior. The bare, or almost bare, seat frames are still in place, as is a relatively clear instrument panel, but that’s about it for the insides.
The seller suggests, “Great Rat Rod Or Restore Back To Original…” to which I would suggest absolutely not and yes, restore to stock. There’s enough of this old REO left (and enough other restomod candidates elsewhere) that restoration should be achievable. The issue, as it always is, of course, is cost. Beyond that, the challenge will be finding someone who’s interested and willing enough to take on such a project, right?
Oh why do I love these underdogs so much. Well, the suicide doors, and hey, wood-spoked wheels! How often do you see that! The lines are great – I far prefer this long body without the bulky trunk added to the back of so many pre-war cars. Check out the restored version.
I would have to agree with you. I wasn’t overly familiar with REO, not the automobile part of the company anyway, and it is this car’s lines that caught my attention. Beautiful job of balancing what is usually just a large, blocky design.
JO
Beautiful example Michelle.
Beautiful car, and I bet you get a lot of attention with it. I have two copies of *Floyd Clymers Catalog of cars,1927&1929. A REO Flying Cloud sedan cost$1845 in 1929. The N.A.C.C rating was 27.34. Don’t know what that means. This was a 5 passenger sedan. I’d have to look for the 1927 model,no catalog of 1928 cars.
( crickets chirping), Sorry, this just bums me out. Nobody, except a staff member even cares enough to just comment on this, correction, TWO staff members. Well, I will until they throw dirt on me, dag nabit,, to me and the dwindling group I belong to, this example describes what I hold dear in the classic car hobby. A literal treasure 30 years ago, saved by someone who thought it was worth saving, even though, in 1928, it was merely an automobile. There’s nobody alive today that can tell us what a fantastic car this was, even though, no mention of the Great Depression that followed a year later hampered sales. What’s that gramps? Great whaaa? History tends to repeat itself, you punks and we’re close. The folks that had a car like this then, professional types, mostly, were darn lucky. Yeah, who cares, grandpa, and not one bid, sigh,,it’s okay, I and others my age were some of the lucky ones, when the hobby meant finding this, maybe $500(?) the fun of dragging it home and a mild restoration and a putt-putt into town was good enough. A POX, I DECREE, on this time period we’re in today.
Hey Howard, sometimes it’s up to us to get the conversation flowing, a task I enjoy. I never knew anything about this car, I only knew REO thru trucks. We have a Diamond T – 1948 – a joy to look at and drive, and vaguely related to REO I believe.
Yes, today’s environment for car collectors can be agonizing. I just figure I will enjoy what I can of it – and there is a lot to enjoy still – for as long as I can!
Michelle
White bought both REO and our loved Diamond T.
Click on the chronology in the article. I think it’s pretty accurate except I think the Mack pickups were just rebadged REO pickups.
I have a 1938 Mack EE cab from when Mack built their own pick up. Awhile after the cab arrived, I learned that it’s somewhat different from the EHT. All the other E models, EF, EG, EH, Ex whatever are all the same cab and sheetmetal.
I think the the 404-614s are much cooler with the longer hood and fenders than the pickups and 306s. First photo I could find of my DT 614 was this old xmas photo with the EHT in the background. I’m reducing the collection and that 614 will be the last of the 1940s trucks to go.
What’s your DT? If it’s a COE, I’m jealous.
There was a car themed restaurant in Naples, Florida that had a REO flatbed inside the main dining room that they used for the salad bar. Impressive truck, especially sitting in the middle of the dining room. Maybe someone can come up with a similar idea for this old warrior.
Bob I lived in Naples, Florida from 95-02. My late wife and her family moved there from Sharonville, Ohio in 1973 after she graduated High School. Her dad went to to work for the local Cadillac dealer and still works there in his late 80’s. He would most likely know the restaurant you refer to. His name is Ben, anyone that works there knows who he is. This write up is an excellent story of an old car that needs due attention. Thank you Michelle.
God Bless America
I had a 1946 REO Speedwagon 1 ton pickup – worst thing I ever drove.
There is a great article in the September issue of Hemmings Classic Car
about the 1932 REO Flying Cloud. Plus there a lot of background information on the company and it’s owner. I found it very interesting and what the car industry would be like if REO was still around.
Street rod it. Small block chevy, or if a heavy car put a 502 in it
A good friend of mine built a 1928 Reo Flying Cloud as a streetrod. Again, it wasn’t a restorable car, at least without being WAY underwater. He took the full drivetrain out of a full size Mercury, a 351 Windsor, C6, rear diff. He did his best to make the exterior look original except for the wheels and tires. Those are big wheel openings and it took some tall tires to fill them. As usual, like any others he built, it was well done, looked great in maroon and drove and rode greatm My friend passed last summer but his son-in-law has the car and, hopefully, we’ll see a complete refresh of the car.
For the longest time I always wanted a Stutts Bearcat mostly because of the show that sponsored one. I am old enough to know what this car is and have seen some drive around a couple of times. Yet I would not embark on a restoration of it. Not enough guys still alive who know what to do for it. Matter of fact you would be hard pressed to even find guys who bought 1960’s car new when they came out. They are a rare breed anymore. I think the AACA needs to build a museum somewhere. Stock it up with one of everything. Like the NRA Museum. Before it all becomes lost to time.
When I was four years old my grandfather bought a shiny new Rio ten ton truck for our vegetable hauling business. He had “My” name put on the door. Needless to say I was thrilled, no toy trucks for me. I always sat on my grandfather’s lap, holding onto the steering wheel as he drove it around. One day I escaped the confines of our kitchen into the warehouse and thanks to an employees help got up into the cab of “My truck” to play. I can still picture the shiny ignition key embedded in the dash. I can also still envision turning the key and steering the truck into the back wall of the warehouse as it destroyed the banana ripening room.
Not many folks have inititals that lend themselves to a company name but Ransom Olds did! Most car companies used their founders’ last name but Olds did it twice using his last name and then his initials. I have a bio on him – quite a guy!
No one has said it, so I will. This car is waaaaay overpriced. This car body is wood and if water has gotten in, it will probably all have to be replaced. I hope someone restores it, but no matter the purchase price, he/she will be underwater.
Jim, thank you for saying “… and yes, restore to stock.”
At 50 HP…..hardly an REO Speedwagon. Unless your outpacing a really old jogger.
I just love the old stuff. Lunatic fringe, I know. Guilty as charged. The unfortunate thing about these old ‘pedestrian’ cars is that they will disappear completely. The old marquee nameplates – Packard, Cadillac, Peerless, etc – will probably survive. But the Stars / Plymouths / Essex / REO etc – really not worth restoring. Restoring an antique car is usually a money losing propositions anyway. Restoring one of these? A huge money pit that never comes close to be worth it. Has to be a labor of love and the guys who knew these cars in a contemporary way are all gone now. Maybe a Frank Pollard-type will step up and just save them to save them because he thinks they’re cool.
“Not worth restoring”
When your interest in cars is about money, instead of a passion for the cars, you are missing the point, completely.
Burger – I guess we’ll have to disagree on this one. If a car needs a paint job, price is the same for a Packard or a Plymouth. If a car needs an engine overhaul, price is the same for a Chrysler or a Star. At the end of the day, money spent is equal. But value and desirability of the car is quite a bit different. So – if I had a choice between restoring a high end nameplate vs a lower end nameplate, I would say ‘the lower end nameplate is not worth restoring’.
In 1965 just North of Sydney, I bought a 1927 Reo Flying Cloud very similar in appearance. I drove it immediately to Brisbane 600 miles, I loved it . It went easily to over 70mph and stopped well thanks to the new Lockheed Hydraulic Brakes. I went to England in 1967 by sea and took it with me where it now resides. I have had over 60 automobiles in my over 60 years of driving, and the REO is one of the few I regret parting with, ( in 1970 I returned to Australia overland London to India, but because I had a small Daughter used a campervan, otherwise I would have taken the Reo once more)