The Olds Motor Co. was incorporated in 1897. The initial capital investment was $50,000.00.
In 1897 the company produced 4 automobiles his first gas powered vehicle to the public. The asking price was one of $1,000.
Ransom E. Olds was affiliated with Oldsmobile for 8 years; from August of 1897 through January of 1904, when he went into competition with Oldsmobile. After leaving the company he formed REO Motor Vehicles and began manufacturing cars and trucks in Lansing Mi.
In the years of '05 and '06 more REOs were sold than Oldsmobiles!
Years later I'd attend concerts in the Reo Clubhouse in Lansing. This building was on the site where Reo cars were built until 1936, and Diamond-Reo and White Trucks were built until the late 1960s.
Reo models included the Reo The Fifth in 1911/1912; The Wolverine in 1928; an 8cylinder Flying Cloud introduced in 1931; and the 5.9 liter straight-8 Custom Royale
luxury car, available in 3 wheelbase lengths.
Pictured below is of a 1924 Reo Speedwagon.
Next
Back to Index
