Waltham Manufacturing Company

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Waltham Manufacturing Company

logo
legal form Corporation
founding 1893
resolution 1909
Reason for dissolution Reorganization as Metz Company
Seat Waltham , Massachusetts ( USA )
management Charles Herman Metz , Charles Albert Coffin , MP Clough, John Robbins, Leonard B. Gaylor, Leo Melanowsky, William H. Little
Branch Bicycles, motorcycles, automobiles, engines

The Waltham Manufacturing Company is a former American manufacturer of bicycles and automobiles of the Orient , Waltham and Waltham Orient brands . The company was taken over by CH Metz in 1908 and renamed or reorganized as Metz Company in 1909 .

For Waltham Steam locomotive engine of Waltham Automobile Company , there is an indirect connection, that of the American Waltham Manufacturing Company produced American Waltham , however, has no relation to this company.

The company is not to be confused with the well-known Waltham Watch Company .

Charles Herman Metz (1863–1937) was a successful cyclist ( New York State Champion on the penny farthing in 1885) and then designed bicycles for the Union Cycle Manufacturing Company in Highlandsville ( Massachusetts ), today's Newton Highlands ., A neighboring town of Waltham (Massachusetts) .

Orient bicycles

Orient Combination Tandem (1899)

Together with his partners Prof. Herbert L. Thompson , Elmer G. Howe , Frank L. Howe and possibly William Parrot , he founded the Waltham Manufacturing Company in 1893 .

The company was organized under the laws of the state of Maine , but was based on Rumford Avenue in Waltham, Massachusetts . Bicycles were manufactured under the brand name Orient . Metz was the company's managing director. The brand name may have been derived from the Orient Fire Insurance Company , for which it sold insurance. Production started in 1894.

John Robbins received the position of plant manager. The company also relied on Charles Metz's experience as a designer. To make Orient bicycles better known, the company founded a successful factory racing team. With a weight of 20 lbs (approx. 9.1 kg), which is still good today, Orient racing bikes were rightly considered to be particularly light. They also went on sale as the Mile-A-Minute model .

Charles Metz's contribution was a lighter and more stable front fork . A serious accident with two fatalities on the occasion of a bicycle race in Waltham Bicycle Park in 1894 led Metz to introduce an improved chain drive. In addition, from around 1896, specialties such as tandems and multi-seaters were produced, with which racing drivers could practice for standing races ; these were at times also popular as leisure equipment. At this point in time, the "safety bicycles" with smaller and equally large wheels at the front and rear had largely prevailed over the high-powered bike. One Ori-Six six and one Ori Ten ten- seater have been preserved and can be found in the Waltham Museum or Exhibited at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn .

The Orient racing bikes were sometimes called Minuteman . It is unclear whether it was a brand or a series. The Orient bicycle was not cheap, but it was still comparatively successful. In 1896 around 15,000 pieces were made. At that time, built American Bicycle Company (ABC) of Colonel Pope , however, already a round million Columbia -Bicycles annually.

The Waltham Manufacturing Company is one of many automobile manufacturers in the United States whose roots lie in whole or in part in bicycle construction; others are the American Bicycle Company of Col. Albert Augustus Pope , the Duesenberg brothers , the Duryea brothers , the Rambler bicycle of the Thomas B. Jeffery Company , the Pierce of Geo. N. Pierce Company , the Buffalo of the ER Thomas Company , the Willys of John North Willys ( Willys-Overland Company ) or the bicycle of the pioneer Alexander Winton . The Demorest bike was the beginning of the engine manufacturer Lycoming .

motorcycles

De Dion-Bouton Tricycle in the version with 240 cm³ single cylinder engine (1899)
De Dion-Bouton Quadricycle with single cylinder engine (1900)

The first steam- powered motorcycle in the United States is attributed to Sylvester H. Roper (1823–1896). The second Roper model from 1894 was demonstrably ready to drive; Roper died in 1896 while trying to drive.

In 1895 Metz bought one of the new, high-speed De Dion Bouton engines. These were single - cylinder four-stroke engines with 185 cc and ½ HP (368 W).

Towards the end of the 1890s, Metz began to import the single-cylinder engines from the Ateliers de Construction Mécanique l'Aster from Saint-Denis ( France ). This manufactured the first De Dion-Bouton single cylinder under license with 138 cm³ and also ½ HP.

In the spring of 1899, the company had also signed a contract with De Dion-Bouton itself for the US-wide sole import of De-Dion-Bouton motor tricycles and quadricycles and also purchased engines from there, for which the plant in Puteaux near Paris was the global market leader .

Experimental motorcycle

In 1898, Metz began experimenting with a motorized bicycle. In 1899 he brought the native French Albert Champion (1878-1927) into the country. During his employment at Waltham Manufacturing, he took part in the development of the Orient Aster , which was carried out separately from bicycle production at the Waltham plant on Seyon Street .

However, there are contradicting information on this. According to most sources, the Orient motorcycle was completed in 1898 as a kind of prototype. At least this copy is also called Orient Motor Pacer or Orient Tandem Pacer and required two people to operate: One steered, the other operated the single-cylinder engine with ½ HP. Most sources name 1899 as the year of arrival for champions in the United States; therefore he could have participated in the preparation of the series production. This is supported by the fact that Champion last took part in France in the Paris – Roubaix bicycle race in 1899 (which he won).

Series production

Metz presented its motorcycle to the public for the first time on July 31, 1900. The occasion was a demonstration at Charles River Race Park in Boston, Massachusetts, where Champion covered 5 miles (8.045 km) in just over 7 minutes. This event is considered the first ever booked motorcycle sport event in the USA.

Around 1900 Waltham Manufacturing had two motorcycles on offer: the Orient Light Roadster with a 240 cm³ De Dion-Bouton engine and 2¾ PS (2 kW) and the smaller Orient-Aster with the Aster engine and ½ PS from 138 cm³ displacement. The latter was built until 1904 or 1905 and was relatively expensive at US $ 250. In both versions, the engine was built high in the frame, which not only improved weight distribution, but also allowed the driver to adjust the carburetor while driving.

Charles Metz is also considered to be the "inventor" of the term motor cycle , English for motorcycle. He first used it in 1899 in an ad for his Orient-Aster motorcycle.

Champion became one of the first factory motorcycle riders in the USA. He later developed an improved spark plug and founded a company to manufacture and sell it in 1905. His Champion Ignition Company became the AC Delco Division of General Motors in 1927 .

Who was first

Thomas Autobi (1900)

The Thomas from 1900 is usually mentioned as the first commercially manufactured motorcycle in the USA; However, it is not entirely clear when Waltham Manufacturing started series production of its Orient-Aster : As early as 1899, as an advertisement from the manufacturer and some sources suggest, or, according to others, shortly after the Boston race, i.e. in August 1900 at the earliest. the Orient would have been on the market first ...

In any case, Waltham Manufacturing was innovative and built one of the earliest gasoline-powered motorcycles in the United States. It is probably also the first machine to be produced in large numbers. Waltham Manufacturing is occasionally mentioned as the first motorcycle factory in the United States.

The first organized motorcycle races on the West Coast took place in May 1901 on a racecourse in Los Angeles ( California instead). Four participants had to cover the one-mile (1.609 km) circuit ten times. The winner was Ralph Hamlin on Orient with a time of 18½ minutes. With an average of 31 mph (49.89 km / h), an Orient also won the first official road race for motorcycles in the United States, held in May 1902 between Irvington, New Jersey and Milburn, New York . The distance was 10 miles (16.09 km).

Engine construction

The motorcycle engine designed by Charles H. Metz

Metz was far-sighted enough that he considered building his own engine. Based on the De-Dion-Bouton construction, and with the support of Albert Champion, motorcycle engines first appeared, which were also sold to other motorcycle manufacturers. Metz also set up its own foundry for this purpose. Larger single-cylinder engines were also built from 1902, followed by four-cylinders with 16 and 20 hp (12 and 15 kW) from around the end of 1904 and a two-cylinder V-engine with 8 hp (6 kW) from 1906; this was available as an option for the buckboard models, all of which were supplied as standard with a single-cylinder engine that was half as powerful.

Orient Autogo and Quad

The Orient Autogo , here with an optional personal tag , was a license replica of the De-Dion-Bouton Tricycles shown above (1899)

Tricycles and Quadricycles are three resp. four-wheeled vehicles, which are constructed similar to a motorcycle. Saddle and handlebars are available to the driver; the engine is mounted at the rear.

The production of own tricycles and quadricycles under the name Orient Autogo and Autogo Quad took place shortly after the introduction of motorcycles. The 3 HP Aster engine or the 5 HP De Dion Bouton engine were available as options. The latter company manufactured what is probably the best-known motor tricycle and was probably also the licensor for the frame construction of the Orient Autogo , which in its own literature was referred to as "automobile". This production ran out at the end of 1901.

From 1897 to 1901, not including licensees and copies such as the car logo , market leader De Dion-Bouton alone sold around 15,000 motor tricycles.

Automobile manufacturing

Tinker & Piper steam car

Automobile construction began at Waltham Manufacturing in a roundabout way. Two employees, George M. Tinker and John W. Piper , received permission from Metz to build a steam car in a remote corner of the plant on Seyon Street . Two more followed. With the encouragement of Charles Metz, Tinker and Piper left the company in early 1900 and founded the Waltham Automobile Company in the town , which continued to manufacture light steam cars until 1902 or 1903.

Orient Electric

A notable investor in the Waltham Manufacturing Company was Charles Albert Coffin (1844–1926), the first President of General Electric . In the second half of 1898, he commissioned Tinker and Piper to design an electric vehicle prototype . This Orient Electric was shown at the New York Cycle & Automobile Show , held at Madison Square Garden January 21-28, 1899 . It is known that the vehicle had a wheelbase of 1524 mm (60 inches), weighed approximately 450 kg (1000 lbs), and received an engine from General Electric (GE). The latter was obvious, because Coffin was the first president of GE, founded in 1892 in Lynn, Massachusetts . Neither the designers nor Metz, however, were enthusiastic about the construction of further electric vehicles, so this one-off piece remained.

Victoriette

Separately, Robbins and Metz also built a De-Dion-Bouton engine in a lightweight frame in 1898. The vehicle received a buggy - body and may have been the basis for the Victoriette .

This was a slightly larger vehicle than the Quadricycle . Little is known about this. Only the Cycle and Automobile Trade Journal seems to have briefly mentioned it in September 1900. Accordingly, it was a motor buggy with an Aster or De Dion Bouton engine. It is not mentioned in the standard work by BR Kimes and HA Clark.

Thus, Waltham Manufacturing offered three types of motor vehicles around 1900-1901:

  • Orient and Orient-Aster motorcycles for US $ 250 to 300 (depending on engine and equipment)
  • Orient Autogo Tricycle from US $ 450
  • Orient Autogo Quad Quadricycle from US $ 600
  • Orient Victoriette Motor-Buggy from US $ 925; with folding top US $ 1000

Runabout

Although the sources are a bit poor, it is obvious that the Victoriette also provided the basis for the runabout introduced for the 1902 model year . About 400 runabouts were sold. The 1903 presented runabout No. 9 was hapless.

Automobile production began on Seyon Street , separate from the two-wheeler and buckboard construction at the parent plant on Rumford Avenue .

Departure of Charles Metz

Display of the Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers (ALAM) of 1904. Waltham Manufacturing is listed as a member.

Soon there were disagreements among the owners about the future model policy. Coffin was naturally for electric cars. He was supported by Professor Elihu Thomson , who also headed the Thomson-Houston Electric Company , which is also domiciled in Lynn . For this he developed accumulators . Metz, on the other hand, was convinced of the gasoline vehicle. In May 1902 he drew the consequences and had himself paid off.

Metz then worked for a short time as a publisher of a specialist magazine for motor vehicles before he founded the Waltham Development Company in Waltham. He brought this into a joint venture with the Marsh brothers in Brockton (Massachusetts) , which resulted in the American Motor Company , which produces motorcycles from the Marsh-Metz and / or. MM manufactured. From the Marshs he took over their automobile production, the Marsh Motor Carriage Company in Brockton. It appears that the Marsh passenger car was subsequently sold as the Waltham .

His successor as managing director of the Waltham Manufacturing Company was Leonard B. Gaylor . He had previously been operations manager at the Tribune Bicycle Works in Pennsylvania . In the same year, the production of the engines still developed by Metz began, initially with a single-cylinder with 8 hp.

Waltham Manufacturing became a licensee and member of the Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers (ALAM) as early as the summer of 1903 . This organization, which was only founded in January of this year, served to establish a monopoly for automobile manufacture and imports in the USA. The basis for this was the Selden patent issued in 1895 to George Baldwin Selden (1846–1922) for an automobile with a combustion engine. The patent holders took the view, initially supported by a US court, that only holders of a usage license were entitled to manufacture motor vehicles, for which fees had to be paid. The executive body was the ALAM, which had the power to prohibit manufacturers from building such products and thus to force them out of the market. The project failed due to bitter legal resistance from a group of manufacturers around Henry Ford .

Orient buckboard

Waltham Orient Buckboard (1906)
The clear technology of the ER Runabout model. This copy has the optional V-Twin and 8 hp

Gaylor was also a designer. A first result of this activity for Waltham Manufacturing was the Orient Buckboard . In this tiny motor vehicle, which was introduced in 1902, everything that was not absolutely necessary was dispensed with - initially even a suspension on the rear axle . In the beginning they only existed at the front by means of leaf springs. The single-cylinder engine was housed upright in the rear. The power was transmitted to the rear axle via a friction gear and a belt (later two chains instead).

One and two cylinder

There was no body , on the wooden platform that formed the floor, a two-seater bench was attached in the middle and four fenders protected against the worst splashing water. It was steered with the "cow's tail" lever, which was also common for larger cars at the time. The wheelbase was very modest at 80 inches (2032 mm). The vehicle was of course very light and could therefore reach the respectable speed of 30 mph (48 km / h), provided the dirt roads and suspension allowed it. The tank lasted about 100 miles (161 km). At US $ 375, a buckboard cost less than half as much as the Model No. 9 with the same wheelbase, the in-house 8 HP single-cylinder engine and sensible body. The latter can be assigned to the smallest car category at the time, light cars , and thus a forerunner of cycle cars . Buckboards came into existence before and were particularly common in the USA. They also anticipated elements of the cycle cars and developed into a sub-form of them after motorcycle technology became available for them.

Later Orient Buckboards had proper suspension (with four double elliptical springs), which was by no means taken for granted. In addition, from around 1906 a V-Twin with 8 HP was available as an option for the 4 HP buckboards. This engine was quite popular.

Orient model ER

Orient model ER Runabout (1907)

Derived from the buckboard, the slightly shorter runabout ER Waltham Manufacturing offered it for the first time with a stub axle steering , steering wheel and indicated body. In this form it could almost be considered a light car . With a list price of US $ 1275, it was hardly competitive.

After all, Waltham Manufacturing was able to advertise with the somewhat legitimate slogan "The cheapest car in the world". Another was not awkward either: "Everyone should have one."

The buckboard was built at the Rumford Avenue factory. A total of between 2500 and 3250 copies were made. Sales took place worldwide.

Light commercial vehicles

Waltham first introduced a small delivery van Orient Buckboard Delivery with the 4 hp engine in its range in 1904 . Vehicles for commercial use were officially offered from 1906 to 1908. These light delivery vans were available in eight versions with one or two-cylinder engines (the 4 or 8 hp engines known from cars). The customer had the choice of two wheelbases of 98 or 99 inches (2946 or 3200 mm) and a payload of 600 or 800 lb (272 or 363 kg). The most expensive of these vehicles, the Democrat Wagon for 4–6 people, priced from US $ 1,850.

Four-cylinder

Orient 20 HP De Luxe Touring with air-cooled four-cylinder engine, conventional gearbox and cardan drive.This top model of the brand cost US $ 2250. (1905)

In 1904, plant manager John Robbins left the company. His successor was the Russian-born Leo Melanowski . He had completed an apprenticeship as a mechanic at Otto Gasmotoren Gesellschaft in Vienna and then worked for the renowned French manufacturers Panhard & Levassor and Établissements Clément-Bayard before emigrating to the USA. Here he worked at Winton as chief engineer and helped set up their racing car program; the Bullett is considered one of the best US racing cars of the time.

From 1905 to 1907 there was the greatest variety of models. Four different buckboards priced between US $ 375 and US $ 525 were offered. There were also two new four-cylinder models, which were probably made on Melanowski's drawing table.

These engines consisted of four single cylinder engines, which were placed on a common crankshaft.

The four-cylinder engines mentioned were a mid-range car with 16 hp introduced as the Orient Light Touring and a slightly more powerful Orient Deluxe Touring with 20 hp. Although there was still no consistent use of the brand name, Waltham increasingly prevailed in the larger models . These vehicles were conventionally built, had chain drives and conventional transmissions.

Now there was great confusion regarding the models and brands . For a long time, Waltham Manufacturing was undecided as to which name the automobiles should be sold under. Orient was well established in the bicycle and motorcycle sector, so expanding it from the car business was definitely an option. This contrasted with the less prestigious buckboard, which was also marketed as the Orient .

Waltham Manufacturing eventually chose the most unfortunate of all options and sold the cars, at least in part, as both Orient and Waltham , and the Orient-Waltham combination also appeared officially.

Melanowski stayed with Waltham Manufacturing for barely two years ; he left the company to first help the racing driver Joe Tracy in building the Dragon Automobile Company in Detroit, Michigan and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania n . He then went to the Aerocar Motor Company, also based in Detroit . Both companies had to close in 1908.

Charles Metz takes over

Metz Two Runabout (1909)

Melanowski's successor at Waltham Manufacturing was William H. Little , also a skilled engineer. However, he too was soon poached. William C. Durant appointed him general manager of Buick and had him build a new car factory after he had to resign himself to General Motors . The Little Motor Car Company was incorporated into Chevrolet in 1913 .

The many leadership changes and chaos in marketing did not do the Waltham Manufacturing Company well. The introduction of a new voiturette was being prepared, for which the management had high hopes. Little had designed an attractive little car with the traditionally air-cooled two-cylinder engine and friction transmission that was practically ready for production in 1908.

A brief but severe economic depression in the wake of the stock market crash of March 13, 1907 and the so-called panic of 1907 brought the company to the verge of bankruptcy and forced those responsible to give up in the summer of 1908.

The creditor bank offered Charles Metz to buy the company. In July 1908, Metz took over the assets and liabilities of the Waltham Manufacturing Company.

After the purchase, the previous management resigned from their functions. It goes without saying that Metz became the company's new President. His son Edwin H. Metz Sr. was Vice President responsible for branch operations, Charles J. Spiegelberg became CFO, Roscoe A. Pickens sales manager, Charles Wolf was responsible for purchasing and the former plant manager John Robbins was back on board as production manager.

The new beginning was documented externally with a new brand name that was to remain until 1921: Metz .

One year after the purchase, the CH Metz Company became the Metz Manufacturing Company , or Metz Company for short .

Orient and Waltham passenger cars (without motorcycles, overview)

construction time brand model body Cyl. power
 wheelbase New price
US $		 Remarks
1899 Orient Electric 60  in (1,524  mm ) 1000 Aster engine prototype
1900-1901 Orient Autogo Tricycle 1 3 hp 450 Aster engine
1900-1901 Orient Autogo Tricycle 1 5 hp 450 De Dion-Bouton engine
1900-1901 Orient Autogo Quad Quadricycle 1 3 hp 600 Aster engine
1900-1901 Orient Autogo Quad Quadricycle 1 5 hp 600 De Dion-Bouton engine
1900-1901 Orient Victoriette Motor buggy 1 3½ hp 925 Details are missing
1900-1901 Orient Victoriette Motor buggy 1 3½ hp 925 Details are missing
1902 Orient Runabout Runabout 2 seats 1 8 hp 80  in (2,032  mm ) 875 Voiturette
1903 Orient Buckboard Runabout 2 seats 1 4 hp 80  in (2,032  mm ) 375
1903 Orient Model No. 9 Runabout 2 seats 1 8 hp 80  in (2,032  mm ) 950 Cyclecar
1904 Orient Buckboard Runabout 2 seats 1 4 hp 80  in (2,032  mm ) 425
1904 Orient Buckboard Runabout 3 seats 1 4 hp 80  in (2,032  mm ) 450
1904 Orient Buckboard Delivery Small delivery vans 1 4 hp 80  in (2,032  mm ) 443
1905 Waltham Model E
Touring Runabout		 Runabout 2 seats 4th 16 hp 82  in (2,082.8  mm ) 1500 Listed as Waltham only
1905-1907 Orient Buckboard Surrey 1 4 hp 80  in (2,032  mm ) 450 V-Twin 8 PS opt. from 1906
1905-1907 Orient Buckboard / BB Runabout 1 4 hp 80  in (2,032  mm ) 475 V-Twin 8 PS opt. from 1906
1905-1907 Orient Buckboard Tonneau 1 4 hp 80  in (2,032  mm ) 525 V-Twin 8 PS opt. from 1906
1905-1907 Orient 16 HP / Model G Light touring 4th 16 hp 82  in (2,082.8  mm ) 1650 also listed as Waltham (-1906)
1905-1907 Orient 20 HP / Model F Deluxe Touring 4th 20 hp 110  in (2,794  mm ) 3200
1906 Waltham / Orient Model K Runabout 2 seats 4th 16 hp 82  in (2,082.8  mm ) 1600 Kimes: Listed as Waltham only; Orient according to Advert from 1906
1906 Waltham / Orient Model L Touring 5 seats 4th 16 hp 82  in (2,082.8  mm ) 1750 Kimes: Listed as Waltham only; Orient according to Advert from 1906
1906 Waltham / Orient Model M Tonneau 4 seats 4th 16 hp 82  in (2,082.8  mm ) 1750 Kimes: Listed as Waltham only; Orient according to Advert from 1906
1906 Waltham / Orient To model Touring 5 seats 4th 20 hp 96  in (2,438.4  mm ) 2000 Kimes: Listed as Waltham only; Orient according to Advert from 1906
1906 Waltham / Orient Model R Touring 5 seats 4th 20 hp 96  in (2,438.4  mm ) 2250 Kimes: Listed as Waltham only; Orient according to Advert from 1906
1907 Waltham Orient Buckboard Model BR Runabout 1 4 hp 80  in (2,032  mm ) 400 V-Twin 8 PS opt.
1907 Waltham Orient Model ER Runabout 1 4 hp 73  in (1,854.2  mm ) 400 V-Twin 8 PS opt.
1907 Waltham Delivery car Model DC Small delivery vans 1 4 hp 73  in (1,854.2  mm ) 400 V-Twin 8 PS opt.
1907 Waltham Orient Model TR Runabout 2 seats 4th 16 hp 82  in (2,082.8  mm ) 1250 corresponds to Waltham Model K from 1906
1907 Waltham Orient Model TT Touring 5 seats 4th 20 hp 96  in (2,438.4  mm ) 1750 corresponds to Waltham Model N from 1906
1907 Waltham Orient Model DL Touring 5 seats 4th 20 hp 96  in (2,438.4  mm ) 2000 corresponds to Waltham Model R from 1906
1908 Waltham Model 17 Runabout 2 seats 1 4 hp 84  in (2,133.6  mm ) 350 Cyclecar
1908 Waltham Model 18 Runabout w / trunk 1 4 hp 84  in (2,133.6  mm ) 400 Cyclecar; like model 17 but with a luggage compartment
1908 Waltham Model 27 Runabout 2 seats 2 8 hp 84  in (2,133.6  mm ) 525 Voiturette; like model 28 but with steering lever
1908 Waltham Model 28 Runabout 2 seats 2 8 hp 84  in (2,133.6  mm ) 600 Voiturette; like model 27 but with steering wheel
1908 Waltham Model E. Tonneau 4 seats 2 8 hp 84  in (2,133.6  mm ) 650 Voiturette; technically not related to Waltham Model E from 1905
1908 Waltham Model D Runabout 2 seats 4th 20 hp 96  in (2,438.4  mm ) 1750 Listed as Waltham only
1908 Waltham Model D Touring 5 seats 4th 20 hp 96  in (2,438.4  mm ) 1800 corresponds to Waltham-Orient Model DL from 1907
Notes on the model list:
  • The electric prototype by George M. Tinker and John W. Piper was created for Waltham Manufacturing and is therefore listed. The steam car Tinker & Piper resp. Waltham Steam was created with the tolerance of Waltham Manufacturing , but for its own account; therefore they are described under Waltham Automobile Company .
  • From 1906 a V-twin with 8 HP was offered as an option for all 4 HP buckboards. It is to be assumed, but not certain, that this engine was also used in later derived cycle cars and voiturettes. Therefore, a corresponding note was not made here.
  • The unclear name and model designation up to 1908 can lead to double entries in the list. Where these are clear, they are mentioned under "Remarks".
  • All sources cite 1907 as the end of production for the buckboard ; It can therefore be assumed that the models 17, 18, 27, 28 and E from 1908 were not such, despite the low price.
  • The Metz Master Six from 1921 is identical to the Waltham Six from 1922.

Orient and Orient-Waltham Commercial Vehicles (overview)

construction time brand model Body
payload		 Cyl. power
 wheelbase New price
US $		 Remarks
1904 Orient Buckboard Delivery Small delivery vans 1 4 hp 98  in (2,489.2  mm ) 443 see. also car table
1906-1908 Waltham- (Orient) Delivery car Model DC 4 HP Small delivery van
600 lb		 1 4 hp 98  in (2,489.2  mm )
1906-1908 Waltham- (Orient) Delivery car Model DC 4 HP Small delivery van
600 lb		 1 4 hp 99  in (2,514.6  mm )
1906-1908 Waltham- (Orient) Delivery car Model DC 8 HP Small delivery truck
800 lb		 2 8 hp 98  in (2,489.2  mm )
1906-1908 Waltham- (Orient) Delivery car Model DC 8 HP Small delivery truck
800 lb		 2 8 hp 99  in (2,514.6  mm )
1906-1908 Waltham- (Orient) Democrat Wagon 8 HP Station wagon
4–6 pl.		 1 4 hp 99  in (2,514.6  mm ) 1850
1906-1908 Waltham- (Orient) Democrat Wagon 8 HP Station wagon
4–6 pl.		 2 8 hp 99  in (2,514.6  mm )
1907 Waltham Delivery car Model DC 4 HP Small delivery vans 1 4 hp 73  in (1,854.2  mm ) 400 see. also car table
1907 Waltham Delivery car Model DC 8 BP Small delivery vans 2 8 hp 73  in (1,854.2  mm ) see. also car table
Notes on the commercial vehicle list:
  • Duplicate entries between the above list of cars and this commercial vehicle list are possible due to different sources. Where these are clear, they are mentioned under "Remarks" in this table.
  • From 1906 a V-twin with 8 HP was offered as an option for all 4 HP buckboards. It is believed, but has not been established, that the payload of 600 lb (2946 kg) applies to versions with 4 hp single cylinder engine and 800 lb (363 kg) applies to versions with 8 hp twin cylinder engine.
  • The unclear name and model designation until 1908 is reflected in the brand name Waltham- (Orient) , whereby Waltham may have been more common.
  • The sources used for commercial vehicles cite 1908 as the end of production; it can therefore be assumed that delivery vans and minibuses were produced longer than the other buckboards.

Production numbers

It is believed that chassis numbers 1-450 were reserved for motorcycles and Autogo and that they start with 450 for the buckboard. The lowest known number on a buckboard is 478B.

The following information applies to all motorized vehicles with two, three and four wheels. They are a preliminary interpretation and are based on revised data from a source.

Model year brand production Remarks
1899 Orient 1 Electric
1900 Orient 123
1901 Orient 210
1902 Orient 412
1903 Orient 613
1904 Orient 710
1905 Orient 1020
1906 Waltham 738
1907 Waltham 863
1908 Waltham 1230

Orient, Waltham and Metz today

The Waltham City History Museum, 25 Lexington Street, Waltham (Massachusetts) is extensively involved in researching and documenting the various local automobile manufacturers and also with the biography of Charles Metz.

The buckboard was sold worldwide and also manufactured under license. The Waltham City History Museum has researched that 57 buckboards still exist, 45 of which are in the United States. The museum owns one of them. With the chassis no. 495B it is probably the second oldest preserved. Numbers below 450 were reserved for motorcycles.

A buckboard takes part in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run several times , for example in November 2005.

literature

  • Beverly Rae Kimes (Ed.), Henry Austin Clark, Jr.: The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 2nd Edition. Krause Publications, Iola WI 1985, ISBN 0-87341-111-0 . (English)
  • Beverly Rae Kimes (ed.), Henry Austin Clark Jr.: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 3. Edition. Krause Publications, Iola WI 1996, ISBN 0-87341-428-4 . (English)
  • GN Georgano (Ed.): Complete Encyclopedia of Motorcars, 1885 to the Present. 2nd Edition. Dutton Press, New York 1973, ISBN 0-525-08351-0 . (English)
  • Beverly Rae Kimes: Pioneers, Engineers, and Scoundrels: The Dawn of the Automobile in America. Published by SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Permissions, Warrendale PA 2005, ISBN 0-7680-1431-X . (English)
  • Axel Madsen: The Deal Maker: How William C. Durant made General Motors. John Wiley & Sons, ISBN 0-471-39523-4 . (English)
  • Alfred P. Sloan: My years with General Motors. 2nd Edition. Verlag Moderne Industrie, 1965. (German licensed edition of My Years With General Motors. Doubleday & Co., Garden City NY (USA))
  • Mirco de Cet: Illustrated Directory of Motorcycles. Motorbooks International, 2002, ISBN 0-7603-1417-9 . (English)
  • GN Georgano (Ed.), G. Marshall Naul: Complete Encyclopedia of Commercial Vehicles. MBI Motor Books International, Osceola WI 1979, ISBN 0-87341-024-6 . (English)
  • Albert Mroz: Illustrated Encyclopedia of American Trucks and Commercial Vehicles. Krause Publications, Iola WI 1996, ISBN 0-87341-368-7 . (English)

Web links

Commons : Waltham Manufacturing Company  - collection of images, videos, and audio files

Two-wheelers and autogos

Automobiles

Individual evidence

Advertising poster for Orient bicycles (around 1898)
  1. ↑ a b Holbrook (1986), p. 69.
  2. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah Kimes (1985), p. 1463.
  3. ↑ a b c d e f Waltham Museum: Metz Collection: Inventory
  4. ↑ a b barthworks.com: 1881 Ordinary Otto Bicycle
  5. ↑ a b historicwaltham.org: Essays / Isabella Perruzzi / Charles Metz
  6. ↑ a b c d Waltham Museum: History (timeline)
  7. ↑ a b c Holbrook (1986), p. 71.
  8. ↑ a b Holbrook (1986), p. 13.
  9. ↑ a b c d e Holbrook (1986), p. 70.
  10. ↑ urbansimplicity.com (blog): More Interesting Bikes
  11. ^ The Art Of The Motorcycle. Guggenheim Museum, Las Vegas, ISBN 0-89207-207-5 , p. 399.
  12. ↑ a b c d e statnekov.com: Motorcycles Chapter 1
  13. ^ A b Jerry Hatfield: Standard Catalog of American Motorcycles 1898-1981. Krause Publications, 2006, ISBN 0-89689-949-7 , p. 399.
  14. ↑ a b theworldofmotorcycles.com: Antique Motorcycles: Charles Metz & Waltham Mfg.
  15. ↑ theworldofmotorcycles.com: Orient Light Roadster Motorcycle (1900)
  16. ↑ a b theworldofmotorcycles.com: Vintage Motorcycle Marsh-Metz
  17. ^ Waltham Museum: Waltham Hall of Fame / Inventors
  18. ↑ motorcycle.com: Motorcycle history Part 2
  19. ↑ a b Holbrook (1986), p. 77.
  20. ↑ Holbrook (1986), p. 74.
  21. ^ A b Waltham Museum: The Waltham Steam Cars of Piper and Tinker
  22. ↑ a b c Holbrook (1986), pp. 74-75.
  23. ↑ a b c d Holbrook (1986), p. 75.
  24. ↑ a b c Waltham Museum: Waltham Automobiles
  25. ↑ Holbrook (1986), p. 72.
  26. ↑ Helium.com: History of American Motorcycle Companies
  27. ↑ Kimes: Pioneers, Engineers, and Scoundrels. 2005, p. 138
  28. ↑ BPM Legal: George who? - Outline of the Selden patent history from a legal perspective
  29. ↑ oldcarbrochures.com: Automobiles of 1904; Orient Buckboard (1904)
  30. ↑ Kimes (1996), p. 1511.
  31. ↑ conceptcarz.com: Waltham Orient Runabout Buckboard (1903)
  32. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Kimes (1985), p. 1049.
  33. ↑ a b c d e f g Georgiano / Naul: Complete Encyclopedia of Commercial Vehicles (1979), p. 658
  34. ↑ a b c Kimes (1985), p. 471.
  35. ^ Kimes: Pioneers, Engineers, and Scoundrels (Hardcover), p. 86.
  36. ↑ Kimes (1985), pp. 18-19.
  37. ↑ Kimes (1985), p. 851.
  38. ↑ Kimes: Pioneers, Engineers, and Scoundrels (Hardcover), pp. 304-305.
  39. ↑ Kimes: Pioneers, Engineers, and Scoundrels (Hardcover), p. 221.
  40. ↑ massaerohistory.org (MAHC): Metz; Aircraft construction and company history
  41. ↑ Kimes (1985), pp. 926-927.
  42. ↑ a b Georgano (English edition, 1973), p. 712.
  43. ↑ a b c d e f g Kimes (1985), p. 1464.
  44. ^ Waltham Museum: Metz Company
  45. ↑ veterancarrun.com: London-Brighton Run 2005; Orient Buckboard (1904), start no. 321

Remarks

  1. ↑ Parrot is only mentioned in Holbrook's work (p. 69)
  2. ↑ Beverly Rae Kimes (ed.), Henry Austin Clark Jr.: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942 ; 2nd Edition. (1985) and 3rd ed. (1996); see. bibliography
  3. ↑ Up to approx. 1907 according to ALAM , then NACC The measurement methods are similar, but not identical, to SAE-PS and the values ​​are correspondingly similar but not the same.
  4. ↑ Up to approx. 1907 according to ALAM , then NACC The measurement methods are similar, but not identical, to SAE-PS and the values ​​are correspondingly similar but not the same.