1927 REO Flying Cloud

NO TITLE-SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY

Ransom E. Olds (REO) began working for his father's machine shop after finishing school. From here he had a fascination to produce a horseless carriage car that could be propelled forward with an internal combustion gasoline engine. After several tries, the Oldsmobile curved dash car was perfected and began selling in 1901. It did fairly well despite a devastating fire during year, which they came back from and produced 600 cars.

For consignment a 1927 REO Flying Cloud. The Flying Cloud was the first car to use Lockheed's new hydraulic internal expanding brake system and featured styling by Fabio Segardi. While Ned Jordan is credited with changing the way advertising was written with his "Somewhere West of Laramie" ads for his Jordan Playboy, Reo's Flying Cloud….a name that provoked evocative images of speed and lightness….changed the way automobiles would be named in the future.

Exterior
Moving up the social ladder was always a goal of the American Worker. When one would achieve this measure, typically they would show off some of that success with the car they drove. Enter the Flying Cloud, a 4 door large sedan which most likely be chauffeur driven, offered up plenty of roominess and a very smooth ride. This example befitting of the barn find category, shows up with faded black paint on all the steel surfaces. It retains most of its integrity though and panels are all fairly straight considering their age and neglect. There are a few areas of invasive rust through concern, mostly limited to the running board areas where they meet up with the body. This “luxury liner” has all its original glass, lighting and dual bar bumpers. A formerly shiny radiator surround is up front and has begun to rust on the bottom end. Curved fenders on either side are held together with running boards in the center covered with rubber and sporting some mud scrapers for your boots prior to entering the cabin. 18-inch wooden style spoked wheels are on all 4 corners and we can note a black trimmed fold out windshield.

Interior
Brown mohair covers the door panels as well as the tuck and roll stitched seats that remind me of my grandmother's couch. These seats are rotted, and edges have been seriously damaged by water. In back an armed bench stretches across the rear and is also water damaged and rotted. Other panels are covered with brown mohair, some peeling away from said panels. Above the roof has been restored with newly brown painted steel and a new canvas headliner complete with a new interior light. This bastion of restoration is in a sea of other parts in need but gives a glimpse as to what could be. The dash has beautifully shaped gauges with white backgrounds and ornate oval bezels.

Drivetrain
Under the long-cowled hood is an unrestored and not running 249ci inline 6-cylinder engine. It has a 1-barrel carburetor attached as well as a 3-speed manual transmission.

Undercarriage
Leaf springs and drum brakes and plenty of rust, surface and invasive can be seen underneath. A full on expert in these cars should perform an inspection to assess the exact condition.

All the basics are here, and there is definitely plenty to work with with this luxury long car. Lots of ornate details can be seen but need plenty of TLC. Definitely a piece of history awaiting the capable hands of a restorer who could have a very special car in the end. Then you can see how the other half lived.

NO TITLE-SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.