NOVEMBER 2010 OLD TIME TRUCKS
1959 REO GETS SPIFFED UP
By Old Truck Nuts John & Shirley Sponholtz
It’s always a treat to see a hard-working truck get all spiffed up and restored to its original pristine condition. This 1959 Reo C402B dump truck, owned by Gary Callis of Hollywood, Maryland, is powered by a Cummins engine with 230 horsepower, backed by an RTO-610 Roadranger transmission and 23,000-lb. two-speed Eaton rear ends. Gary’s uncle purchased the truck used in 1960 with 16,000 miles on it and used the Reo in his construction company until he sold it to his two brothers. They continued to use the Reo in the construction business until 1977, when Gary bought it from them. The original engine was an overhead 185 six-cylinder Reo gasoline engine with a five-speed transmission and two-speed rear end. Gary rebuilt the engine in 1984 and continued running the truck until 1995, when he re-powered the Reo with the Cummins engine. He also changed to the Eaton rear ends at that time, and later installed an ATA aftercooler and air conditioning. Continuing to earn its keep, the Reo hauled gravel, sand, and forklifts to job sites until 2006 when Gary retired it, restored it, and started taking it to truck shows. To read about more unique old trucks, visit Old Time Trucks magazine at www.oldtimetrucks.org today.