What's a REO?? Well, here's a good starting point (REO Club or America), but basically REO stands for Ransom Eli Olds. He founded the REO Motor Company back in 1904 after selling his Automobile manufacturing business to General Motors (they promptly named this new addition the Oldsmobile Division). REO trucks were especially made famous through the 20's with the ever powerful REO Speedwagon... which, ironically IS where the R.E.O. Speedwagon rock band gets their name, and many of their songs!!
Anyway, when Buster's REO arrived back at the farm in Montana, it was quickly turned into a wheat hauling machine and was used in that capacity (and several others) until the early 70's. At that time, Buster expanded his farming operation into the crop dusting arena, and he used the REO to haul water from the well down to the hanger. The first photo shows one the last tanks that was on the truck.
In August of 2003, we had the old truck shipped here to Arizona to begin it's restoration. It'll remain in the family, that is sure, but now it'll just be making Home Depot runs and various car/truck show appearances and even a few local parades.
Use the Buster's REO menu to navigate to the various stages of this project. |