Vehicle Description
This 1931 REO Flying Cloud Sedan is a rolling piece of artwork with
its beautiful design. The REO Motor Car Company was a Lansing, MI,
based company that produced automobiles and trucks from 1905-75.
Ransom E. Olds was an entrepreneur who founded multiple companies
in the automobile industry. In 1897, Olds founded the Olds Motor
Vehicle Company (later, as Oldsmobile, to become a part of General
Motors). In 1905 Olds left Oldsmobile and established the REO Motor
Car Company. REO's two most memorable cars were its REO Flying
Cloud introduced in 1927 and the REO Royale 8 of 1931. The Flying
Cloud was the first car to use Lockhead's new hydraulic internal
expanding brake system and featured styling by Fabio Segardi. This
car was owned and restored by a well-known REO specialist for over
25 years. It was an extensive frame-off nut-and-bolt restoration.
Many original and correct parts were used during the restoration.
It retains most of the original sheet metal and wood throughout.
The body is very straight with excellent lines. The Maroon and
black paint is magnificent, and the color combination is
breathtaking. It has all-new glass, and the exterior appointments
are brilliant. It sits on the correct wood-spoke wheels with
hand-pinstriping on each spoke. It has an all-new professionally
installed LeBaron Bonney coachworks gray mohair interior. The rich
interior is very spacious and comfortable. Everything in the
interior has been restored or replaced. The wiring under the
painted dash is very neat. It has a new 6-volt system and the
battery is under the driver's seat, which is easily accessible. The
engine compartment is nicely detailed and home to the original
matching-numbers straight 6-cylinder engine. The engine was
completely rebuilt and runs beautifully. It starts by pulling a
knob on the dash. An electric fuel pump was installed for
reliability. The engine is coupled to the original 3-speed manual
transmission that shifts very smoothly. The undercarriage is also
nicely detailed throughout. Everything underneath was restored or
replaced. This is a great-looking and driving American classic
automobile.
