Lot 1029: 1904 Pope-Waverley Model 21 Road Wagon

Motor no. 2388

‘Excels all other electric carriages in construction, appearance and mileage capacity. The ideal vehicle for city and country use. So easy to operate that a woman can run it with perfect comfort, safety and satisfaction. Ready for use at any moment. No delay; no bother; no dirt, no grease; no odor. Just push a lever, and you are off.’ – Waverley advertisement.

Colonel Albert A Pope established his manufacturing empire in the aftermath of the Civil War. His first major product line was bicycles and by the end of the 19th Century the Colonel was head of the American Bicycle Company, a consolidation of some 40-plus firms. Pope’s first venture into the field of powered transport occurred in the late 1890s with the electrically-powered Columbia, though a few gasoline-powered cars were made, which was followed in 1903 by the Pope-Robinson, the latter resulting from Pope’s partnership with John T Robinson. Pope-Hartford, Pope-Toledo, Pope-Tribune and Pope-Waverley were all added to the ever-expanding fold during the following year. The latter had been introduced as the Waverley Electric in 1898, responsibility for its production transferring between various firms within the Pope Empire until it was renamed Pope-Waverley for 1904. Within a few years mounting financial difficulties had driven the group into receivership, and in 1908 Pope-Waverley’s Indianapolis factory was the subject of a management buyout. The name reverted to Waverley and production continued in Indianapolis until 1916, from 1912 onwards with a range of models restyled along the lines of gasoline-powered cars.

This Waverley’s previous owner acquired the vehicle in 1992 and restored it in 2000 before selling it to the vendor. Cosmetically it appears in good condition, featuring correct lamps and beautiful leather upholstery and fenders, while we are assured that with the installation of new batteries this would be a good and functional car.