Overland Octoauto
The Overland Octoauto, conceived by Milton Reeves in 1911, evokes the whimsical imaginings of a child rather than the practicality of a functioning vehicle. Measuring a staggering 20 feet in length and boasting eight wheels, four axles, accommodations for four passengers, and a robust 40-horsepower engine, the Octoauto was an ambitious creation. However, its ungainly appearance and cumbersome handling belied its innovative features. Furthermore, with a price tag of $3200.00—exorbitant by contemporary standards—the Octoauto faced immediate rejection in the marketplace. Despite its bold design and engineering, the Octoauto’s impracticality and prohibitively high cost doomed it to become a colossal failure, both in terms of sales and reputation.
