Reo Flying Cloud
| Reo Flying Cloud | |
|---|---|
| Production period: | 1927-1936 |
| Class : | Upper class |
| Body versions : | Touring car , roadster , sedan , coupé , cabriolet |
| Previous model: | Reo Model T6 |
The Reo Flying Cloud was a top class -PKW by the Reo Motor Car Company manufactured from 1927 to 1936 as the successor of the model T6. The name should be reminiscent of a light-footed vehicle, which, given the heavy six and eight-cylinder engines, seems rather presumptuous to us today.
Year by year
Flying Cloud, Flying Cloud Mate and Flying Cloud 15 (1927–1931)
| Flying Cloud (1927–1928) Flying Cloud Mate (1929) Flying Cloud 15 (1930–1931) |
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|---|---|
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| Production period: | 1927-1931 |
| Body versions : | Touring car , roadster , sedan , coupé |
| Engines: |
Petrol engines : 3.5 liters (44–48 kW) |
| Length: | |
| Width: | |
| Height: | |
| Wheelbase : | 2921-3073 mm |
| Empty weight : | |
The first Flying Cloud was presented as a model in 1927. The luxury car had grown somewhat compared to its predecessor, the T6, with a wheelbase of 1 ″ to 3073 mm and an output of 10 bhp to 65 bhp (48 kW). The car was powered by a Continental in-line six-cylinder engine with a displacement of 3518 cm³. The superstructures were a four-seater roadster, a four-seater coupe in standard and luxury versions, a five-seater Brougham and a five-seater sedan. The cars, which were still offered unchanged in 1928, sold very well. In 1928, the company's absolute production record was achieved with 29,000 copies.
In 1929 the wheelbase of the Flying Cloud was reduced to 2921 mm and it was offered with the same engine as a "small model" alongside the new Flying Cloud Master. To distinguish the car, which was only available as a coupé or four-door sedan, was called the Flying Cloud Mate . Reo sold 30% less of the two models together this year than in the previous year. The Black Friday had left its mark on American US in the economy.
In 1930 the Flying Cloud range was expanded again upwards. The "small model" was now called the Flying Cloud 15 , which indicated the wheelbase of 2921 mm (= 115 ″). The engine output dropped to 60 bhp (44 kW). In the following year, the Flying Cloud 15 again had a 1 ″ longer wheelbase (2946 mm) and was also available as a five-seat Phaeton.
In 1932 the small model was discontinued without replacement.
Flying Cloud Master, Flying Cloud 20/25 / 6-21 and Flying Cloud (1929–1936)
| Flying Cloud Master (1929) Flying Cloud 20/25 ( 1930–1931) Flying Cloud 6-21 (1932) Flying Cloud (1933–1936) |
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| Production period: | 1929-1936 |
| Body versions : | Roadster , limousine , coupé , convertible |
| Engines: |
Petrol engines : 3.7-4.4 liters (59-70 kW) |
| Length: | |
| Width: | |
| Height: | |
| Wheelbase : | 2921-3175 mm |
| Empty weight : | |
In 1929 a larger car called the Flying Cloud Master was added to the small Flying Cloud Mate model . Its wheelbase had remained at 3073 mm, but Reo now used an engine from its own production, an in-line six-cylinder with 4,397 cm³ displacement, which delivered an output of 80 bhp (59 kW). While the number of bodies on the small model was limited this year, the Master was available as before as a four-seat roadster, four-seat coupé, five-seat Brougham, five-seat sedan and even a four-seat Victoria.
In the following year, the Master became the Flying Cloud 20 with a 3048 mm wheelbase, which was only available as a coupé with 2 or 4 seats or as a five-seater sedan, or the Flying Cloud 25 with a wheelbase of 3150 mm, which was only available as a 7- sedan.
In 1931 the engine output was increased to 85 bhp (62.5 kW) and the Flying Cloud 25 had a chassis that had grown by 1 ″ with a 3175 mm wheelbase. For this car there was now the Victoria again.
In 1932 both models resulted in the Flying Cloud 6-21 , which - hence the name - had a 3073 mm (= 121 ″) wheelbase. There was only a four-door sedan in normal or sports version. The engine was also new: it only had a displacement of 3769 cm³, but still made 85 bhp (62.5 kW)
In 1933, the eight-cylinder Flying Cloud models introduced in 1931 were no longer available; the six-cylinder model was again the only Flying Cloud and was therefore no longer given an additional designation. Its wheelbase was only 2985 mm. Coupé, Victoria and sedan were on offer.
In 1934 a new six-cylinder engine from our own production came again, this time with 3736 cm³ displacement and an output of 95 bhp (70 kW). A new feature was a semi-automatic transmission developed for US $ 2 million, in which the clutch was only required for starting. There were six different coupes and sedans as bodies.
In 1935 the Royale was no longer available and the Flying Cloud was the company's only model. The old 3.8 l R6 engine with 85 bhp (62.5 kW) was reinstalled and there were two different chassis with 2921 mm and 2997 mm wheelbase, both with coupé and sedan bodies. A cabriolet with a long wheelbase was new. In the following year there were only coupes and sedans with a short wheelbase. This was the last car model Reo built.
Flying Cloud 30 / 8-21 / 8-25 (1931-1932)
| Flying Cloud 30 (1931) Flying Cloud 8-21 / 8-25 (1932) |
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| Production period: | 1931-1932 |
| Body versions : | Limousine , coupe |
| Engines: |
Petrol engines : 4.6-5.9 liters (66-92 kW) |
| Length: | |
| Width: | |
| Height: | |
| Wheelbase : | 3073-3302 mm |
| Empty weight : | |
From 1931 Reo first offered cars with an eight-cylinder in-line engine. In addition to the top model Royale , there was also a Flying Cloud 30 with this engine, which drew an output of 125 bhp (92 kW) from a displacement of 5867 cm³. On the chassis with a 3302 mm wheelbase, there were sedans, coupés and Victorias in both normal and sport versions.
In 1932 Reo equipped the Flying Cloud with smaller eight-cylinder engines for reasons of competitiveness. The 4.6 l engines were only slightly larger than the six-cylinder and delivered almost the same output with 90 bhp (66 kW). The Flying Cloud 8-21 model had the same wheelbase as the six-cylinder model at 3073 mm (= 121 ″) and, like this one, was only available as a sedan. The Flying Cloud 8-25, on the other hand, had a chassis with a 3,175 mm wheelbase and was available with the same superstructures as in the previous year.
In 1933, the eight-cylinder Flying Clouds were dropped from the model range because they were selling extremely poorly.
literature
- Kimes, Beverly Ray & Clark Jr. Henry Austin: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942 , Krause Publications, Iola WI (1985), ISBN 0-87341-045-9
