Vehicle Description
Long-term ownership. Very high-quality frame-off restoration. One
of only a handful known to exist. Beautiful colors, functional bed,
runs and drives beautifully. A rare, unusual, and fun truck that
has a lot of style.Thanks to a certain rock-n-roll band, everyone
has surely heard of the REO Motor Car Company and its most famous
vehicle, the Speed Wagon, but its origins are perhaps a little less
familiar. After being ousted from the company that bore his name
(Oldsmobile) in 1905, Ransom Eli Olds started a new company using
his initials as its name. REO became a full-line manufacturer,
offering mid-priced cars to compete with Oldsmobile and even some
higher-end cars to compete with Cadillac and Packard. But by the
mid-1930s, it became clear that survival meant building trucks,
ranging from this handsome Speed Delivery pickup to large heavy
haulers capable of moving freight. REO was known for high quality
and rugged construction, but their passenger car roots made
vehicles like this 1937 Speed Delivery pickup a bit more
user-friendly than some of their peers. They were still slightly
more expensive than the competition, but the quality was
tangible.That quality still shows today in this lovely little
pickup, which has been lovingly restored by a fellow who owned a
heavy truck repair business, so he knows a few things about heavy
haulers. This Speed Delivery was ordered new with a steel cab and
interesting wood bed, which was completely re-created using the
original hardware during the restoration. Stylish metal fenders
give it a suitably sleek look for the late 1930s and the V-shaped
windshield actually gives it a bit of a sporting look. The paint
and bodywork are excellent, with typical REO fit and finish
throughout. The color is accurate, taken from a hidden section of
paint and matched exactly, and it has a definite working-class look
that's appealing in its own way. The tall, narrow grille is topped
by the original radiator cap, and a front bumper was standard
equipment. All the chrome was refinished during the restoration and
looks fantastic, and it appears that most of the glass was
replaced, along with the weatherstripping, so it looks crisp and
feels substantial when you slam the door.The interior is commercial
vehicle basic, of course, but the red alligator skin seat cover
(which is how they were originally delivered) adds a bit of
contrast. There's some scuffing on the outer edge of the seat
that's probably unavoidable given the material and its location,
but that's really the only demerit inside. Once you're there, you
get a big steering wheel that makes the REO feel light and agile,
as well as a set of gauges that certainly would be at home in an
upscale passenger car. They are all functional except the gas
gauge, and an accessor Trico fan can provide come cooling on hot
summer days. Additional cooling comes from swing-open windshield
frames and side vents on the cowl, so the REO is actually a fairly
pleasant place to be. The center stack houses an ashtray, ignition,
plus throttle and choke knobs to help on cooler days. A durable
rubber mat protects the floor and the door panels are steel,
although the window crank hardware is pretty ornate for a pickup.
REO's quality is evident everywhere you look.The 209 cubic inch
inline-6 was advertised as 'Silver Power,' whatever that means. In
reality, it was competitive with its peers offering a rugged
flathead design, plenty of torque, and easy maintenance. It starts
easily with a bit of choke and generally goes about its business
without any challenges-if you're familiar with pre-war cars, this
truck will be a snap to drive and if you're a newcomer, it will be
easy to learn. It's finished in green engine enamel with a single
downdraft carburetor, and details like the cloth spark plug wires
and wire hose clamps are nice period touches. It's well detailed
with a few signs of use, but nothing that an afternoon of detailing
wouldn't erase, and all signs point to this being the truck's
original engine. A big radiator keeps it cool and comfortable
cruising speeds are about 40-45 MPH. The starter, generator, and
water pump were all rebuilt during the restoration, and it appears
that the wiring is new using correct cloth-covered wires. The
transmission is a typical 3-speed manual with synchromesh on 2nd
and 3rd gears, and once you're in high gear it's happy to pull even
from very low speeds. That's likely due to what we believe are 4.55
gears out back, which is pretty trucky but good for feeling lively
around town. The suspension is standard truck fare with leaf
springs and live axles at both ends, hydraulic drum brakes (which
were pretty advanced for 1937), and tube shocks on the rear which
was a real innovation. The single exhaust system has a pleasing
truck sound that is little more than a whisper on the open road,
and the gas tank was apparently re-sealed during the restoration.
16-inch steel wheels wear correct hubcaps and 6.00-16 blackwall
tires for the perfect period truck look.Experts suggest there are
no more than about 20 of these handsome little trucks still in
existence and this has to be one of the very best of them all. With
a conscientious restoration, it presents extremely well and thanks
to reliable mechanicals, it's quite usable even in today's world.
If you want something unique that's still perhaps a little
practical yet always draws a crowd, this REO is a fantastic choice.
Call today!Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal
or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior
to purchase.
