Charles Metz had been in the car business since the 1890s, then left to become a technical editor of a motorcycle journal. He returned with a bang in 1909 to rescue the remains of his former firm by selling the parts off in kit form. The two-passenger roadster was built by the Metz Co in Waltham Massachusetts. It was powered by a 22 horsepower 4 cylinder engine linked to a friction drive. Its advertisement read; "The Gearless Car, No clutch to slip - No gears to strip". In 1913, this car sold for about $ 475. An electric starter, electric head lights, electric side lights, electric dash and tail lights brought the cost to $ 600. Metz automobiles were built until 1922 after which the name was changed to the Waltham. Metz's engine designer had worked for Ford, and it showed. The 4-cylinder, water-cooled Metz engine can be mistaken for the Model T version. There are a few differences, however: an oil pump, a 2-piece block, and no transmission attached. Anyway, a lot of Ford parts fit the Metz including pistons (with a little machining), valves, head gasket (with one hole alteration) and other things. Metz had a good run. He won the final 1913 Glidden Tour, bought a mansion overlooking his new factory; even dabbed in the aircraft business. Alas, the business finally died in 1921 with a 6-cylinder assembled car (shaft drive). Metz moved to California and opened a cabinet shop, living into the mid-'thirties. This 1913 Metz Roadster is an incredibly rare car with a little over 100 known to exist. This car has been in a prominent collection since the mid 1980's where it was shown on a regular basis and annually maintained. The car has benefitted from an older restoration but is still in very good condition. It runs very good but is crank start only. The soft top is in good condition and includes an all weather kit that includes side curtains. Inside, the black vinyl seat is in good condition with no major rips or tears to be found. Under the hood, the four cylinder does run very well with a crank start. The transmission on these are incredible and unique to the Metz. As you can see in the photos, there are no gears; just a large flat wheel which the motor drives. This disc drives the rear end by a smaller wheel by friction. The faster you want to go, the more you bring the stick back which moves the wheel farther to the outside of the disc. Reverse is engaged by moving the wheel to the opposite side of the disc. The rear wheels are chain driven. The wheels are the original style wood wheels which are in good condition and wrapped with older bias ply tires which do show some dry rot. The underside is solid with no rot to be found. VIN number is 29841 and is being sold on a clean Kansas title showing the previous owner has had the car since April, 1987.