1912 Metz Model 22

The Waltham Manufacturing Company was founded in 1893 by Charles H. Metz. It would become an important company in America; it would build America's first motorcycle and the largest bicycle. The bicycle had ten seats. Metz would remain with the company until 1901. He returned seven years later to a company that was in debt and spiraling out of business. What he did find were a surplus of parts and much potential. To stimulate sales, Metz offered customers a payment and self-assembly plan, allowing customers to gradually purchase their cars. Each of the 'Parts Group' cost $25 and was assembled by the client. In total, the car consisted of fourteen boxes of parts and cost a total of $350. This 'Metz Plan' worked, and by 1909 Waltham's debts were paid off. By 1910, the Metz Two was offered with factory assembly.

1912 Metz Model 22

The 1912 Metz Model 22 was powered by a four-cylinder, 177 cubic-inch engine with a one-barrel downdraught carburetor and delivering 22 horsepower. It had a friction drive which used a steel disc rotating in one plane driving a fiber disc operating in a plane 90 degrees to it. The engine turns the steel disc, and the fiber disc turns the drive wheel. Stopping power was by rear-wheel mechanical brakes, and the wheelbase measured 90 inches. The Plan Roadster with seating for two had a base price of $495. The Assembled Roadster was priced at $600.

by Dan Vaughan

Assembled Roadster
Chassis number: 28317

Prior to building automobiles, Charles Metz was a bicycle manufacturer. His Waltham Manufacturing Company in Massachusetts made Orient bicycles. After a dispute with investors, he left his company; eight years later, he re-purchased his company which had fallen into a desperate financial state and had a large inventory of parts on hand. Metz then began selling packages of parts for $25 each, enabling them to build their own cars, one package at a time. This ingenious plan created a steady cash flow, allowing Metz to retire the debts of Waltham Manufacturing and become an auto manufacturer in his own right.

In 1912, Charles Metz introduced a new Model 22, powered by a 22-horsepower four-cylinder engine. It has a simple friction drive transmission found on the earlier vee-twin cars. The friction drive is operated via a steel disc rotating in one plane, which drives a fiber disc operating in a plane 90 degrees to it. The engine turns the steel disc, and the fiber disc turns the drive wheel.

The Model 22 had a 90-inch wheelbase which was kept in the driver's control via a two-wheel mechanical braking system.

This example wears an older restoration that remains in good condition in modern times. It has a monocle windshield, gas lamps, and excellent bright-work.

In 2010, this car was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $200,000-$250,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $189,750 including buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan