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Charles Metz DeDion-Bouton Motor Tricycle

The unique Orient “Autogo;” One Part Runabout— One Part Tricycle

Submitted by Sam Burns
8/30/2021


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1900 Orient trike. Photo by Markus Cuff
1900 Orient trike. Photo by Markus Cuff



Charles Metz was bullish on the potential of his DeDion-Bouton motor tricycle to transfer motor power from the track to the street. In 1899 he took his conviction a step further with the development of the unique Orient “Autogo;” one part runabout— one part tricycle.
 
 
 
Photo by Markus Cuff.
Photo by Markus Cuff.


 



It immediately became the Waltham Manufacturing Company’s flagship motor machine for recreation and touring on America’s roads. Charles Metz pulled out all the stops and launched the first large-scale commercial marketing campaign in the U.S. for a motor-powered vehicle other than an automobile. In fact, to contrast his Orient Autogo from the automobile, he referred to them as “motorcycles” in his 1900 sales catalog.
 
1912 Marsh Metz two-wheeler.
1912 Marsh Metz two-wheeler.


 

 
 
1899 DeDion Bouton Trike
1899 DeDion Bouton Trike


 

--Sam Burns
Official Historic Contributor
Bikernet.com™
 

 

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