1904 Pope-Waverley Model 27

By the early 1900s, the Colonel Albert Augustus Pope empire had grown to include the Columbia Automobile Company, Electric Vehicle Company, Pope-Hartford (1903–1914), Pope-Robinson, Pope-Toledo (1903–1909), Pope-Tribune (1904–1907) and Pope-Waverly. Each of the companies was different and produced vehicles of different price points, sizes, and body styles. Additionally, they were produced in different geographical locations. The Pope-Tribune, the least expensive and smallest automobile, was produced in Hagerstown, Maryland. The Pope-Toledo was built in Toledo, Ohio, and was the top-of-the-line vehicle in the Pope empire. The Pope-Robinson was built in Hyde Park, Massachusetts. The Pope-Hartford was built in Hartford, Connecticut, and was the longest-produced Pope automobile. The Pope-Waverly was built in Indianapolis, Indiana, and was the only electric car produced by Colonel Pope. Initially, it was just called the Waverly.

The existence of the Waverly began in 1898 after the merger of the American Electric Vehicle Company of Chicago and the American Bicycle Company. From 1901 to 1903 it was known as the International Motor Car company. It became the Pope-Waverly from 1904 until 1908 when the Pope organization was in financial distress. As such, the Indianapolis factory was in receivership and was sold in September of 1908 to a group of local businessmen including H.H. Rice, W.C. Johnson, and W.B. Cooley - they had been executives with the company for several years. Under his care, the company was reorganized as the Waverley Company and produced until 1916.

When the Waverley became the Pope-Waverley, its list of body styles expanded. The purpose was to cater to a larger audience and satisfy the various needs of its customers. This was, perhaps, part of its demise.

The Pope-Waverley electric was a 'horseless carriage' powered by an electric motor fed from banks of lead-acid batteries. Its main target audience was wealthy ladies who were seeking a means of clean-running, silent transportation for use around town.

The 1904 list of body styles included ten different body styles resting on wheelbase platforms ranging from 61 to 80 inches. It included wagons, stanhopes, delivery wagons, and service wagons. Pricing ranged from $850 - $1400.

by Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2019