The Single was introduced in 1905 as the first car produced by the REO Motor Car Company. It was equipped with a single cylinder engine of around 1.7L producing approximately 8hp, coupled to a simple manual transmission, and used rear-wheel drive, often chain-driven as was common in early automobiles. Its body style was open, runabout-style, lightweight and minimalist, designed for basic mobility rather than luxury or comfort. A particularly noteworthy aspect of the REO Single is that it laid the technical and commercial foundation for all subsequent REO models, becoming a key piece of early American automotive history. The REO Single was produced until 1907.