1903 Waltham Orient

The Orient Buckboard was the product of the Waltham Manufacturing Co. of Massachusetts and was marketed as 'The Cheapest Automobile in the World – Everybody Should Have One.' The company's existence began as a bicycle manufacturer, eventually moving to the electric vehicle industry, and by 1902, it was building its own internal combustion engines. The Buckboard model was introduced in 1903 and was certainly one of the most economical means of transportation of the era.

The 578cc Waltham Air-Cooled 2-Stroke single-cylinder engine produced four horsepower and had single-speed drive, rear cable-operated mechanical brakes, tiller steering, and solid axles with quarter elliptical leaf springs. The flexible hickory wooden platform provided the suspension. A seat for two occupants resided in the middle of the Buckboard, and an umbrella could be added to give some relief from the hot sun or rain. Dust and debris were kept in check via the floating fenders. The small but effective engine resides at the rear of the vehicle with its weight supported by the rear axle. Weighing approximately 400 pounds, the Orient Buckboard was claimed to have a top speed of 35 mph and could climb a 1:12 hill in top gear.

by Dan Vaughan

Buckboard

This particular Orient was the first piece of automotive equipment ever owned by Ralph De Palma, the famous race driver who was Barney Oldfield's chief rival. Built almost entirely of wood, it has no metal springs. The builder relied on the natural spring of its hickory wood frame. Gas consumption was 35 miles per gallon.

The one-cylinder, outboard, air-cooled gasoline engine produces four horsepower. The original cost was $375.

by Luray Cavern Museum

Buckboard

The Orient Buckboard was produced by the Waltham Manufacturing Company of Waltham, Massachusetts, between 1902 and 1908. The model cost $500 in 1903 and was advertised as 'The lightest and simplest automobile in the world.'

This Orient Buckboard features a red-painted chassis and is believed to have been refurbished prior to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Foundation's purchase in 1961. A red-painted fuel tank is mounted behind the seat along with a Neverout kerosene lamp, and an Adams & Westlake 'X-Ray' acetylene lamp is fitted up front. The air-cooled 35 cubic-inch single-cylinder engine is geared to the rear axle and was rated at four horsepower when new. Braking is handled by a single, cable-operated rear unit.

This example currently resides in Collection 21 in Northern Kentucky.

Charles H. Metz produced a car named the Orient. It was a small electric roadster that was shown to the public at the New York Auto Show in 1899. It would remain a concept and never put into production. Instead, Metz turned his attention - like many other automakers - to gasoline-powered cars. He became an agent for De Dion-Bouton selling quadricycles and tricycles. For his own line of vehicles, he imported the French Aster engine to provide the power.

By 1902, his company, Waltham Manufacturing, was producing its own engines for their Orient car. During the first year of production, around 50 examples were sold. The following year, the Buckboard was introduced and would remain in production until 1908. As the 1900s progressed, so did the number of bodystyles offered by the Waltham Manufacturing company, including three-passenger cars, tonneau, surrey, and delivery vehicles.

The Buckboard was a simplistic and minimalistic vehicle that was advertised as 'The Cheapest Automobile in the World.' The price was $375 and the single-cylinder engine offered four-horsepower, capable of carrying the car to speeds up to 30 miles per hour.

by Dan Vaughan