Orient

US, 1898 – 1908

Waltham Mfg Co, Waltham, Mass.

The Orient car company made an experimental electric runabout in 1898, but did not put this Orient car into production. Their first petrol-engined Orient cars were motor cycles, tricycles and light runabouts powered by De Dion engines. In 1902 they introduced the Orient Buckboard, a very simple Orient car consisting of two seats on a wooden platform, with a 4hp air-cooled engine geared to the rear axle, and, originally, only one speed. There were no springs on this Orient car, as the wooden platform was said to have enough resilience. The weight was 350lb and the price $375.

Although the simple Buckboard was continued, more sophisticated Orient cars were gradually introduced, including a four-seater version Orient car which in turn became a side-entrance tonneau. Wheel steering and small bonnets to cover the driver’s feet appeared in 1904, although the engine of the Orient car was still at the back, and the Buckboard ancestry remained obvious.

In 1905 a completely new Orient car appeared, known as the Waltham Orient. This Orient car had a 4-cylinder air-cooled 18/20hp engine mounted in front in the conventional manner, friction transmission and shaft drive. A slightly smaller 16hp Orient car model was also made. In 1908 Waltham merged with the C.H. Metz Company, and for the following year the cars were known as Metz.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; GNG

The information is written with the greatest of care. However, if you have any suggested amendments please contact us at office@prewarcar.com

Columbia

US, 1897 – 1913

(1) Pope Manufacturing Co, Hartford, Conn., 1897 – 1899

(2) Columbia Automobile Co, Hartford, Conn., 1899

(3) Columbia & Electric Vehicle Co, Hartford, Conn., 1900

(4) Electric Vehicle Co, Hartford, Conn., 1901 – 1909

(5) Columbia Motor Car Co, Hartford, Conn., 1909 – 1913

The detailed organizational history of the Columbia car make is complex, and its ancestry includes such pioneers as Riker and Morris & Salom. The initial Columbia models were electrically powered and this source was used until at least 1907. They were sold in England under the name City and Suburban, and in France as l’Electromotion. Petrol models were introduced in 1899, known then as the Pope-Columbia, and were designed by Hiram Maxim. These petrol cars were advanced for their time, with left-hand steering wheel, full elliptical springs, a coil radiator in front, and a 2-cylinder engine. The 1903 Columbia Type XLI showed definite European influence, with a sloping bonnet, double chain drive, and its 14hp engine drove it at 45mph.

In 1907, an electric transmission was introduced to the Columbia car, giving 7 forward speeds, with a 4-cylinder engine of 48hp. In 1911 a Knight sleeve-valve engine was used in one model known as the Columbia-Knight. This had a 6.3-litre engine, and was continued to 1913.

The Columbia Motor Car Co was absorbed by United States Motor Co in 1910, and the Columbia make ended when this company collapsed in 1913.

US, 1914

Seattle, Washington

This Columbia was a side-by-side two-seater cyclecar. It used a 2-cylinder engine with overhead valves, combined with a friction transmission and belt drive. Its wheelbase was 8ft, with a track of 3ft 4in.

US, 1914 – 1918

Columbia Electric Vehicle Co, Detroit, Mich.

This electric Columbia car was made in open two-seater, three-seater ‘coupelette’, and four-seater brougham form and was furnished with wire wheels. The price-range of this model, with various options, was $785 to $985. Soon after its introduction, the name was changed from Columbia to Columbian.

US, 1916 – 1924

Columbia Motors Co, Detroit, Mich.

The Columbia was a well thought of assembled car of its era and its low price attracted a considerable number of buyers. Two basic Columbia models were offered, both sixes and both powered by Continental engines. As many as 6.000 units were sold in 1923, principally the roadster at $995 (disc wheels were extra). Planning to expand its manufacturing activities, Columbia purchased the Liberty in 1923, but both makes failed a year later. Noteworthy was Columbia’s use of thermostatically-controlled radiator shutters as early as 1920 which opened as radiator temperature increased. The Columbia car was one of the first automobiles to use this device and doubtless it aided Columbia sales.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; GMN, KM

The information is written with the greatest of care. However, if you have any suggested amendments please contact us at office@prewarcar.com