1931 Reo Race Car

Blanco and this Reo scored podium finishes for 22 years—from 1931 to 1954—a monumental accomplishment

by Thor Thorson

Car collectors have known for a long time that some of the greatest barn finds have come out of Argentina, but not many realize why this is so. To understand, it is necessary to appreciate Buenos Aires in the inter-war years.

Argentina was at that time the world’s third largest economy, and motor racing was virtually the national sport. Some of the greatest drivers came from this vibrant motoring world, including Juan Manuel Fangio. As great as Fangio was, Ernesto Blanco was the national hero. Unlike Fangio, he never went to Europe to race, but in Argentina, his record was unsurpassed.

Ernesto Blanco’s Reo was designed by Macoco de Alzaga and Luis Viglione one afternoon in 1930. “We were trying to copy the “Gold Seal Special” of Guadno, which was a gorgeous car,” said de Alzaga. The body was new, but the car was mechanically very similar to the Chrysler they were copying. They kept the Reo engine, rated at 125 hp, although displacement was...