1931 Reo Royale - Auction - Charlotte, NC - For those unfamiliar with the REO brand it's a direct result of Ransom Eli Olds being ousted from Oldsmobile the original company that bore his name. Always an innovator Olds started anew with REO determined to build cars to suit every budget. His crowning achievement the Royale was designed to compete with some of the biggest names in the luxury car business during the early 1930s including Chrysler and Packard. Considered Full Classics by the Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) the Royale convertible coupe is perhaps the pinnacle of the brand's design and engineering prowess.
This 1931 REO Royale has been comprehensively restored by REO Club of America historian John Barker. The color is a deep plum restored to match the vehicle shown in original Royal literature of the era. Nowhere is the classic long hood/short deck styling more pronounced than on this Royale convertible coupe whose proportions suggest great power and speed. The short deck houses a rumble seat for two passengers and it also features accessories like metal sidemount covers a golf bag door and dual tail lights. The restoration work was carried out to the absolute highest standards and as a rare vehicle such work can be incredibly challenging.
On any '30s automobile chrome is a critical part of the restoration. This car was so nicely preserved that much of the brightwork is original not re-plated although any item that required restoration received it. The Royale grille is one of the most handsome in the industry with a trend-setting deep ''V'' shape and painted shell that didn't arrive on other marques until several years later. The beautifully shaped headlights are refinished and match the inset profile of the grille.
Performance was still in its infancy in 1931 but the Royale put big power in a compact package thanks to a 358 cubic inch straight-eight making 125 horsepower. For comparison's sake the new 1932 Ford V8 made 65 horsepower and a competitive Packard Eight was rated at an even 100 horsepower-the Reo was a powerhouse. As much art as machine the nine-main-bearing REO engine is finished in gloss black accented by polished stainless hardware like the acorn nuts holding the head in place and a large chrome valve cover with the REO-Royale script proudly emblazoned on its side. The restoration is authentic with correct lacquered cloth spark plug wires in metal conduit a Bijur chassis lubrication system and a properly tagged distributor. The Royale was one of the first cars to employ a mechanical fuel pump instead of a vacuum tank improving reliability and ensuring an uninterrupted flow of fuel under all conditions.
The chassis is conventional for the time-heavy frame rails with rigid axles up front and a rear suspended on leaf springs. The transmission is a three-speed manual with direct drive and a vacuum-assisted clutch that makes gear changes easy although synchromesh was not available until 1933. One of REO's biggest additions and one that preceded much of the industry was the widespread adoption of hydraulic brakes. Used by Chrysler and Duesenberg since the mid-20s most manufacturers remained skeptical of ''juice brakes'' and Henry Ford resisted until 1938. The fuel system has been fully restored from the tank and lines all the way to the pump and carburetor and the exhaust system uses a correct cylindrical muffler and polished tip. The Royale carries six new 6.50-18 Firestone blackwall tires on the original wire spoke wheels exactly duplicating the appearance of the Royale convertible coupe in the original brochure.
The buff leather interior also duplicates the brochure model. The front bench seat offers an unusual center armrest which was not typically found in front seats of this vintage. The leather is in excellent condition with no dryness splits or tears and the rumble seat has been upholstered to match. The dashboard is steel not wood although the woodgrained pattern is nicely done. The vacuum windshield wiper motor has been rebuilt but is not currently connected and the clock is not functional as is often the case on cars of this vintage. Door hardware is exquisitely finished matching the art-deco look of the dashboard and overhead a tan canvas top fits snugly and folds easily thanks to freshly chromed landau irons.
Documentation includes period advertising and sales literature featuring this exact body and color combination as well as an original dealer price sheet. There's also what we might today call a build sheet listing the components that went into this car and the shipping date and originating dealership Sable Motor Company in Portland Oregon.
A total of approximately fifty Royale convertible coupes were built in 1931 and 1932 and of those it is believed that only nine still survive making this an incredibly rare machine. The REO is widely respected for its advanced engineering and sparkling performance on the road and as a Full Classic it is eligible for virtually any motoring event in the world. Always special to see Royales are not widely known but it's rare for someone to become familiar with them and not fall in love. This is a truly special car with a quality restoration by a marque expert in period-correct colors and finishes. It has been featured in magazines most recently the AACA publication ''Antique Automobile'' where it is pictured on page 36 of the May/June 2011 issue. This vehicle is available exclusively through the RKM Collector Car Auction May 4th in Pinehurst NC. To bid please register at www.RKMCollectorCarAuctions.com or call 704.235.0746 for more details. All information set forth above has been provided by the above-signed Owner. RKM Classic Car Collectors LLC has not verified or confirmed any of the above information and makes no representations or warranties whatsoever concerning the same. All vehicles are sold ''AS IS WHERE IS'' with all faults including without limitation any and all defects imperfections and inconsistencies.