Reo Speedwagon – It wasn’t an easy task for a young man named Ransom Eli Olds in the automobile industry to come up with his brilliant ideas, one of which was the REO Speed Wagon. The truck was considered to be one of the most versatile and dependable automobiles to ever grace the market, as its design was the catalyst for the pickup truck. Ransom went from working in their family’s small machine shop in Lansing to running his own company with Edward W. Sparrow, a real-estate mogul as an investor who helped launch the Olds Motor Vehicle Company in 1897 for Ransom.
Ransom left the company barely a year into production due to managerial conflict. He found another investor Samuel L. Smith, a retired copper-mine mogul who helped Ransom put up Olds Motor Works, a company that he merged with his father’s machine shop. Samuel L. Smith’s investment in Olds Motor Works facilitated their relocation to Detroit, hence becoming the first permanent automotive manufacturer located in the Detroit city limits.
Reo Speedwagon – This time around the Olds Motor Works factory was raised down by fire in 1901 a massive blow that forced Ransom to move back to Lansing. Recovering from the fire incident, His never “say no” attitude paid off as Olds Motor Works recorded 5,000 units yearly production by 1905. However, this success brought in another serious challenge for Ransom as Frederick Smith, son of one of the original backers opposes most of Ransom’s decisions raising much tension in the company, Ransom was once again left with no choice but to leave Olds Motor Works.
Finally, Ransom was able to come up with his own REO Motor Car Company where he recorded tremendous success than his original Olds Motor Works, which had become part of General Motors. It was at REO Motor Car Company that the REO Speedwagon was produced. One may ask, what is so special about the REO Speedwagon. Seatback as we take you through the features and performance of the truck.
The Perfect Masterpiece
See also, Trucks With Over 290 Horsepower You need to Know
Ransom capitalized on the performance of existing trucks at that time whose horsepower could not overpower horses to build the REO Speedwagon. To woo the American market, the REO Speedwagon which was introduced in 1915 came with a four-cylinder engine and a three-speed transmission that was much faster than the trucks that already existed, which could only hit speeds of about 10–15 miles per hour. Due to the heavy agricultural and factory activities, the Speedwagons were massively designed to handle hauling large volumes of goods.
A breakthrough that came with the truck was its endlessly modified features which made the utility truck fit for any aspect of hauling and towing as the speed wagon was not just fast but powerful and dependable. History has it that the Speed Wagon was even used as a fire truck in many areas.
A Catalyst For Innovation
As earlier stated, The Speedwagon design inspired other automobile companies to construct smaller and more durable pickup trucks. The Speed Wagon was the first vehicle ever to use electric starters and shaft-driven axles. As an endlessly modifiable vehicle, 125,000 units were produced in 1925 before its production came to an end.
The Speedwagon and World War II
Read also, Here’s 10 of the Greatest Classic Pickup Trucks Ever Built
In the 1930s, commercial production of the SpeedWagons halted as REO was more engaged in building a heavy-duty and lightweight truck that was dependable to handle a myriad of tasks. A two-and-a-half-ton, 6-by-6 M35 series cargo truck was produced to be used during World War II. The M35 was capable of maneuvering rough terrains. Production of Speed Wagon ended immediately after World War II. This game-changer name was brought back to life by Neal Doughty, a musician in 1968 who named his band “REO Speedwagon”.
Read more on belmadeng.com