1915 Smith Flyer — the wooden “car” that hit 22 mph on just 2 horsepower! 😱 In an era when Ford’s Model T was ruling the roads, A.O. Smith came up with a plank-on-wheels contraption powered by a motor wheel. What began as a quirky experiment in Milwaukee quickly evolved into a legend when Briggs & Stratton took over in 1919.
This wasn’t just transportation — it was mobility stripped to the bone. No clutch, no gears, barely a brake… and yet it promised 100 mpg and freedom for just $135. Imagine flying down a dirt road on a picnic bench with a lawnmower motor strapped to the back! 🪵💨
In this video we dive into the bizarre history, wild specs, and jaw-dropping auction prices that prove even a 135-lb wooden buckboard can earn cult status. By the end, you’ll see how the Smith Flyer’s tiny motor wheel went on to power millions of machines worldwide.
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LINKS
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• 1916 Smith Flyer C Motorette — RM Sotheby’s:
https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/hf19/lots/r0070-1916-smith-flyer-c-motorette/?utm_source=chatgpt.com• 1919 Briggs & Stratton Flyer — RM Sotheby’s:
https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/am06/lots/r116-1919-briggs-stratton-flyer/?utm_source=chatgpt.com• 1919 Briggs & Stratton Flyer — RM Sotheby’s:
https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/hf19/lots/r0072-1919-briggs-stratton-flyer/────────────────────────────────
#ClassicCars,#CarHistory,#Microcars,#BriggsAndStratton,#VintageCars,#SmithFlyer,#WoodenCar,#Cyclecar,#MotorWheel,#UnderdogCars