The futuristic Australian body design was built by Martin and King Coachbuilders on top of a REO Speedwagon Model 2LM forward control bus chassis’ designed to improve fuel efficiency and was introduced by the Vacuum Oil Company in 1937, by an unknown Melbourne artist's concept art.
The capacity of the four internal tanks was 1075 Imperial gallons, and the tire size was 7.50 x 20. Enough of the trucks were built to be assigned to each of the seven Capitol Cities in Australia (probably for the units advertising value).
The discharge hoses were stored in the chrome tubes that started at the rear of the headlights and followed the catwalk on each side of the body.
The truck appeared at the Coronation International Motor Show. A
The truck appeared at the Coronation International Motor Show. A
piece in the May 25th, 1937 The Argus, of Melbourne, had the following sentence. “On the Reo stand is the most extraordinary vehicle in the show — a fully streamlined tanker which looks as if it is several years ahead of its time.”
Thanks for that. What a cool looking truck!
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