Reo Motors: 1906 Review
Note: This is a sub-section of Reo Motors.
The Reo Cars. [1]
While in London for the Show, we took the opportunity of calling at the Reo Company's depot at Broad Sanctuary, Westminster, and inspecting their latest models. It may be remembered that the Reo car did exceedingly well in the Scottish Trials. We had an opportunity of a run on the two-cylinder model, and were lost in admiration of its efficiency as a hill-climber and the perfection of the control. Mr. Gordon Sharp personally took us for quite a lengthy drive, which included some of the steepest hills in the vicinity of Hampstead Heath, up which the car went with consummate ease on the high speed. In one case we were climbing a hill which no ordinary car, unless of very high horse-power, would take on the high speed, when we struck a block in the traffic just where steam rolling was being carried on. The speed of the car had to be checked, and the next moment we were amongst the loose wet metal but the engine gradually picked up, and within a comparatively short distance the car was once more into its stride without having to drop on to a lower speed.
The Reo cars are fitted with horizontal engines, and are made in America. Two patterns are listed, one a single-cylinder, selling at £165, which includes lamps, and all accessories. A feature of this car is the very neat folding back seat. In a very brief space of time it can be folded downwards, turning the car into a two-seater, with a particularly graceful sloping platform behind, on which luggage can be carried if required. The wheel base is 6 ft. 8 inches, the gears are of the epicyclic type, giving two forward speeds and a reverse, with a side lever for effecting the changes, and a fly wheel about 2 ft. in diameter, and weighing 112 lbs. There are two control pedals, one for the reverse and the other for the foot brake. There is also a hand brake. There is a half compression arrangement, and the throttle can be operated without letting go the wheel. The oil tank is on top of the engine, and there is an ingenious oil pump fitted, operated by a rod off the cam shaft, which in turn works a ratchet at the side of the lubricator. The contact breaker is made so as to work in quite thick grease.
The car, which we personally tested, has a two-cylinder engine of 16 h.p. It is fitted with opposed cylinders, with a separate carburetter for each. This is to obviate the necessity of a long induction pipe. The throttle is very close up against the cylinders, and the carburetter has an air pipe, the end of which is formed of gauze, and is covered with a "stocking" which effectually collects the dirt. The springs are full elliptic and very easy, riding smoothly over rough roads. The transmission is by a chain, covered underneath. The tonneau is detachable by operating a catch and two butterfly nuts. The radiator, which is in front, is made up in sections, so that if one particular section leaks it can be removed, and the car driven until a new section can be procured. The steering is by means of worm and segment, and is irreversible. The steering tie rod is behind the front axle, and there are ball socket joints so arranged that the play can be taken up.
The frame is of pressed steel, reinforced with wood. A very strong supplementary frame carries the engine and gears, and is fixed to the main frame in a very effective manner, but at the same time so simply that it can easily be removed, carrying the engine with it. The rear axle runs on four sets of ball-hearings, and the casing is supported by two big radius rods. There are also two sets of steady rods between the axle ends and the differential case. Half compression is provided for starting purposes. It is worked in connection with the half-time shaft, by means of extra cams; the exhaust valves are made to open twice on every revolution, but not so fully. The front springs are semi-elliptic. This car is listed at £285, complete with lamps, tools and kit. With a hood it costs £300, and in this form can be turned into a closed-in carriage if desired. The firm claim to produce from 7,000 to 8,000 cars yearly, which enables them to standardise all their work and to sell cheaply.
The tyre fitted is the Goodyear, which has a particularly effective patent detachable rim. It is very simple, and consists of a detachable beaded-edge ring, which holds the beaded-edge of the tyre and is secured in position by an outside locking ring. This locking ring has a stud at one side which engages in the felloe, and the other side is simply forced into position, but can be prised up in a moment when it is necessary to remove the cover. By reversing the beaded edge ring, Dunlop tyres can be used. No security bolts are necessary; the tyre can be detached and put on in three or four minutes.
The depot in Broad Sanctuary is roomy and well-appointed, with an excellent assembling department in the back, where cars are put together on their arrival from the States.