1931 REO Royale

This is an image of a 1931 REO Royale. The REO was the company owned and developed by Ransom Eli Olds. R.E Olds is best known for his previous... more

by Flees Photos

Title

1931 REO Royale

Artist

Flees Photos

Medium

Photograph

Description

This is an image of a 1931 REO Royale. The REO was the company owned and developed by Ransom Eli Olds. R.E Olds is best known for his previous company who produced the Oldsmobile. After selling his interests in what was Oldsmobile he formed the REO motor car company. The 1931 Royale is one of the rarest antique cars of the era.

There were 50 1931 REO Royale convertible Coupe produced. It is believed that less than 10 exist today. This is an original 31 Royale and not a remanufactured or kit car. It was located in a showroom in Charlotte, NC. The price tag truly reflected its rarity, nearly $500,000.00. I find it interesting when I walk into a showroom and look around to see what they have in stock. You can always tell what the rarest vehicle in the showroom is. It is typically roped off with a velvet rope barrier and has do not touch signs all over it.

The reason for the rarity of this vehicle is due to its release. The cutting edge design was released in 1931 less than two years after the stock market crash of 1929 and during the height of the great depression. Due to the great depression the luxury auto market was over saturated. While the styling at the time of the release was touted as one of the most beautiful designs ever, that was not enough to save the company. The body was built by the Murray Corporation.

After 1936 REO began to focus on their truck division as opposed to passenger cars. Most notoriously the REO Speed Wagon, which is where the band with the same name adopted their name from. The company and REO brand was sold several times until it was officially retired in 1975. The REO Royale is the perfect example of market timing. REO offered a far superior product for the time but they entered the market place at the absolute worst time possible.

Uploaded

August 20th, 2014