If you Google the name ‘REO Speedwagon,’ the first thing that comes up is information on the popular American rock band from the ’70s and ’80s. But did you know the band actually took its name from a truck that was produced by the REO Motor Company during the first half of the 20th century?
While I was vaguely familiar with the REO Speed Wagon vehicle, I certainly didn’t recognize the example I found at Auto Club Famoso Raceway during its famous March Meet last week.
But then again, Bob O’Neal’s 1948 pickup truck looks quite a bit different than any Speed Wagon that came out of the REO factory.
And that’s because he’s used the obscure old truck as the basis for very cool rat rod build; one that was drawing curious glances from everyone who came near it. You could say he’s ‘rolled with the changes’ on this 1940s workhorse.
With its short wheelbase, the ex-farm truck has the profile of a drag machine with an aluminum fuel tank sitting atop the ‘bed’.
Further cues to the quarter mile look are widened steel wheels fitted with pie crust slicks in the rear. Up front meanwhile, are a pair of skinny white-walls over wire rims.
The engine is a small-block Chevy V8 with a very old school looking air cleaner sitting atop. Other mechanical upgrades include a disc brake conversion at the front end.
The cabin of the Speed Wagon is bare bones – just as a farm truck should be. And how can you not like the cow-skin bench seat cover?
One of the things I love about the March Meet is seeing some of the crazy home-built machines that come out, and this obscure American rat rod more than satisfied my expectations.
Stay tuned for more cool machines from this year’s gathering.
Mike Garrett
Instagram: japanifornia_media
mike@speedhunters.com
Even Speedwagon is also a rat rod..
I really dig that style of air cleaner. It's an Olds/Cadillac design, if I'm not mistaken. I wonder if this one is a repainted original or a modern reproduction, too.
Two thumbs up for a shorty wheel base and those headers! Great feature.
would've liked a photo of the hood closed - otherwise fantastic build
with a very nice speed sure the car could be a champion onehttp://dokterpoker.org
the car was very good
really really like to see the car that shiny new car fits like made for walking trailsthe car was very good http://utamadomino.com/app/img/peraturan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://utamadomino.com/app/img/peraturan.html and very fast http://utamadomino.com/app/img/jadwal.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://utamadomino.com/app/img/jadwal.html mix of colors http://utamadomino.com/app/img/promo.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://utamadomino.com/app/img/promo.html from which to http://utamadomino.com/app/img/panduan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://utamadomino.com/app/img/panduan.html make want pobud http://utamadomino.com/ see hatnya http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/peraturan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/peraturan.html kecepatanya http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/jadwal.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/jadwal.html was very nice ,http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/promo.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/promo.html suitable for a "http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/panduan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/panduan.html sharp bend http://dokterpoker.org or not sharp I guess motorists http://633cash.com/Games like this is http://633cash.com/Pengaturan" very skilled in the speed I hope I can membilinya someday will whether http://633cash.com/Daftar http://633cash.com/Promo there are http://633cash.com/Berita new cars http://633cash.com/Livescore are better I http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/peraturan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/peraturan.html 'll wait for it , with a stylish car classic http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/jadwal.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/jadwal.html style I http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/promo.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/promo.html also like http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/panduan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/panduan.html to see would be http://raksasapoker.com/ whether there is a http://yakuza4d.com/peraturan" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://yakuza4d.com/peraturan car that is http://yakuza4d.com as fast and forius http://yakuza4d.com/home like in the "http://yakuza4d.com/daftar movie , the car very http://yakuza4d.com/cara_main good car http://yakuza4d.com/hasil designed a way apparently hopefully http://yakuza4d.com/buku_mimpi there will be new cars more good and the price is quite pantastis then chances are I can membilinya the same as you have at this time