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The American Electric

The American Electric was an American automobile manufactured in Chicago from 1899 to 1902 and in Hoboken, New Jersey, in 1902. The company was incorporated by Clinton Edgar Woods in 1895 as the American Electric Vehicle Co. in Chicago.

The company built a wide range of electric carriages, including some bodied as high, ungainly-looking dos-a-dos four-seaters. These vehicles were claimed to be capable of running from 35 miles (56 km) to 50 miles (80 km). The manufacturer optimistically stated that "very few private carriages would ever be subjected to such a test."

The company moved to New Jersey in 1902, according to a company statement, "to find more wealthy customers," but they shut down operations within the year.

Pope-Waverley

Pope-Waverley was a manufacturer of Brass Era electric automobiles, initially based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Here are the key details about the Pope-Waverley automobiles:

History

The company was originally formed as the Indiana Bicycle Company in 1898, later changing to the American Bicycle Company in 1900, and then to the International Motor Car Company in 1901. In 1903, it became part of the Pope Motor Car Company as the Waverley Department, and from 1904, the cars were known as Pope-Waverley.

Models and Features

The Pope-Waverley produced a variety of electric car models, including:

• 1904 Pope-Waverley Chelsea: A runabout model that could seat 2 passengers and sold for $1100. It had a single electric motor situated at the rear, producing 3 hp (2.2 kW), and used 30 batteries.
• 1904 Pope-Waverley Road Wagon: A smaller wagon model that could seat 2 passengers with an open box at the rear for cargo, selling for $850. It had a single electric motor at the rear, producing 3 hp (2.2 kW), and used a 24-cell battery.
• 1904 Pope-Waverley Edison Battery Wagon: A runabout model with 48-cell Edison batteries, seating 2 passengers and selling for $2250. The electric motor was situated at the rear.
• 1904 Pope-Waverley Tonneau: A tonneau model that could seat 5 passengers, selling for $1800. It had twin electric motors at the rear, each producing 3 hp (2.2 kW) with a special 12 hp (8.9 kW) overload mode, using 40 batteries.

Design and Innovations

The Pope-Waverley cars were known for their silent operation and were marketed as "The Silent Waverley." They featured hard rubber tires, which were less likely to puncture or go flat. The cars were tiller-steered and had a range of 15 to 20 miles (24 to 32 km), equivalent to about 1.5 hours of operation.

By 1912, the Waverley Company, which had become independent again after Pope's financial troubles, introduced a model with a faux bonnet to resemble a gasoline-powered car. This model was known as the Sheltered Roaster and later became the Model 90.

Corporate Changes and Production End

When the Pope empire was facing financial difficulties in 1908, a group of Indianapolis businessmen rescued the Pope-Waverley and established a new Waverley Company to continue production. The Waverley Company ceased production in 1916 due to the declining popularity of electric cars in favor of self-starting gasoline cars.

Legacy

The Pope-Waverley electric cars played a significant role in the early history of electric vehicles. Despite their limited range and the eventual decline in popularity, these cars were pioneering in the field of electric transportation and laid the groundwork for modern electric vehicles.

The American Electric and Pope-Waverley Relationship

The American Electric Vehicle Company of Chicago, which produced the American Electric, was involved in a partnership with the Indiana Bicycle Company of Indianapolis. This partnership led to the formation of the Waverley Electric cars.

Consolidation and Naming

In 1898, the American Electric Vehicle Company of Chicago merged with the Indiana Bicycle Company to form the basis of what would later become the Waverley Electric and eventually the Pope-Waverley.

The electric cars produced by this merged entity were initially known as Waverley until 1904, when they became part of the Pope Motor Car Company and were renamed Pope-Waverley.

Corporate Structure and Ownership

Colonel Albert Augustus Pope, who founded the Pope Motor Car Company, played a crucial role in both the American Electric and Pope-Waverley. He acquired the Waverley company in 1903 and integrated it into his larger automotive empire, which included other brands like Pope-Hartford, Pope-Toledo, and Pope-Tribune.

Financial and Operational Changes

The Pope Motor Car Company, including the Pope-Waverley division, faced financial difficulties in 1908. As a result, the Pope-Waverley company was sold to a group of local businessmen in Indianapolis, who continued production under the Waverley name until 1916.

Legacy

The relationship between the American Electric and Pope-Waverley highlights the complex and evolving nature of early 20th-century automotive manufacturing. Both brands played significant roles in the development of electric vehicles during this period.