Model 35. 125 bhp, 356.0 cu. in. L-head inline eight-cylinder engine, three-speed manual transmission, solid front axle and live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 135"

- Offered from the Nethercutt Collection

- First year of Reo Royale

- Similar to Merle Norman’s first fine car

- CCCA Full Classic

The late Jack Nethercutt owned some of the finest cars in automotive history, but he reserved his fondest regards for those with family heritage, including the 1933 Reo Royale, a Victoria with the rare Self-Shifter transmission, an example of the first fine car owned by his aunt, Merle Norman and her husband.

In 1971, while building up his car collection, Mr. Nethercutt embarked on a quest for a Reo Royale like his aunt’s. Despairing of finding the exact year and model, he decided on this 1931 Royale instead which was joined soon afterward with one that was more like his aunt’s.

Mr. Nethercutt purchased the car offered here from Charles “Chuck” Stebbins of Birmingham, Michigan. Mr. Stebbins, a member of the Michigan Region of the Classic Car Club of America, bought it in Olney, Illinois, in 1964. It was originally delivered in Syracuse, New York, on March 21, 1931, to an unknown customer who traded in a 1929 Reo Flying Cloud. Stebbins named the car “Dolly,” and drove it home from Illinois in the snow. Chuck Stebbins had attended the preview showing of the 1931 Royale at the Hotel Olds, in Lansing, in September 1930, and his grandfather worked in the original Olds Motor Works, so it was with particular pride that he arrived home with his own example of Lansing pride. The car had been carefully preserved and partially restored.

As offered from the Nethercutt Collection, this car looks stately in correct black paint, with black wire wheels. There are numerous small chips, however, but the car remains attractive, and its brightwork in good condition. It has brown cloth upholstery, and a black fabric roof insert.

All 1931-34 Reo Royale Eights are CCCA Full Classics, so this car will be welcome in meets and on CARavan tours. Fewer than 7,000 Reos of all types were sold in 1931. This eight-cylinder Royale is part of a very small constituency.