lordairgtar
05-17-2008, 07:02 PM
Two still existing companies dabbled in making a "car". First, A.O. Smith, at the time producing frames for Ford and others, developed what they called the world's fist sports car, The Flyer. This unusual vehicle had been likened to a park bench with wheels. Five wheels in fact. The low slung wooden platform had four wheels and two seats but was propelled by a fifth wheel hung off the back. It was called the Smith Motor Wheel. The rights to this crude cart was later sold to Briggs and Stratton of small engine fame. An example of one of these can be seen at the Wisconsin Auto Museum in Hartford Wisconsin. These were made around 1915 until 1919 when B$S bought the rights from AO Smith. Briggs made these until 1923. I can't think these were anything more than novelties, but they earned their place in Wisconsin Auto history.
http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1658545_1657686_1658003,00.html
Later, Banner Builder (yet another company that still exists) would make a copy of this car in 1958-59, but with conventional rear axle drive and no fifth wheel called the Banner Boy Buckboard.
http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1658545_1657686_1658003,00.html
Later, Banner Builder (yet another company that still exists) would make a copy of this car in 1958-59, but with conventional rear axle drive and no fifth wheel called the Banner Boy Buckboard.