1932 Reo Royale 8-35 Convertible Coupe

N3001roadUnited States

Engine: 358 cu. in. straight-eight, nine main bearings
Colour: Navy blue and silver with red striping

The 1932 Reo Royale 8-35 convertible coupe is among the rarest survivors of a technically remarkable but short-lived model: one of 48 built that year and one of only five known to exist. Engineered with a nine-bearing straight-eight, hydraulic brakes, and wind-tunnel-influenced Amos Northrup coachwork, the Royale was an advanced machine that nonetheless could not save Reo's automobile division from the Depression. This example passed through the collections of Bill Harrah, Tom Lester, and S. Ray Miller, was restored by LaVine Restorations, and earned AACA and CCCA National First Prize honours including a perfect 100-point score.

Ownership

—Auction sale
Sold US$280,000
RM Sotheby's catalogue lot →
→ 2009Acquisition unknown
Milhous Brothers Collection
partial documentation
Florida-based collection that acquired the car following dispersal of the Miller holdings.
2009 →Acquisition unknown
Current owner
partial documentation
Has maintained the car in attractive condition with its navy, silver, and red livery.
Date unknown
Bill Harrah
partial documentation
Noted collector; one of several prominent prior owners in sequence before the restoration era.
Date unknown
Tom Lester
partial documentation
Period photographs in the file document the car's solid, unrestored condition as Lester received it.
Date unknown
S. Ray Miller
partial documentation
Commissioned a full restoration by LaVine Restorations of Nappanee, Indiana, completed in 1989; car subsequently earned top concours awards during his ownership.

Competition

—Antique Automobile Club of America National judging
AACA National First Prize
First Prize
Award earned after the 1989 restoration was finished, during S. Ray Miller's ownership.
—Classic Car Club of America National judging
CCCA National First Prize
First Prize — perfect score of 100 points
Achieved a flawless judging score; car also featured in Beverly Rae Kimes' reference work on classic automobiles around this period.

Maintenance & restoration

1989Restoration
LaVine Restorations
Full restoration carried out on behalf of S. Ray Miller, resulting in the current navy blue and silver livery with red striping, Haartz cloth top, and navy interior. Work completed to a concours standard sufficient for a perfect CCCA score.
LaVine Restorations of Nappanee, Indiana, described as the foremost specialists on this model and Royale owners themselves.

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