1908 Reo

   ​August Fischer bought this car new in 1908 for $500.  It was one of the first cars in Gothenburg.  Fisher had trouble learning to drive it since the owner’s manual was written in English, and he could only read and write German.
 
   At some point a garage owner by the name of Charlie Sandquist apparently took ownership.

   In 1918 he traded the Reo to Arnt Ballmer, of Cozad, for an Apperson.  Ballmer gave the Reo to his two sons, Herb, 14, and Arthur, 8.  To say they were envy of all their school mates would a gross understatement.

​   Eventually Arthur relinquished his half ownership to Herb.  Herb kept the car, driving it in parades and such until his death in 1986.  Herb’s daughter, Glenda Ballmer-France, then took over as caretaker. 

   When Glenda Ballmer-France passed away in 2007, the car was auctioned off. Ballmer-France family member, Mark France bought it for $16,000. 
 
   Mark France donated the car to the Museum of American Speed in 2016 ending the family ownership after 98 years.