Gaeth

Founding

The Gaeth car was created by Cleveland resident Paul Gaeth. He spent the late 1800s building bicycles and stationary engine. In 1898 he built an experimental steam car, and, later that year, a gasoline car. In 1900, he joined the People's Automobile Company as the superintendent. He left the position in 1902 when the company went bankrupt.

After People's Automotive Company's bankruptcy, Gaeth partnered with a local businessman and formed the Gaeth Automobile Company at 54 Warden Street. Initially the firm only produced cars on a special-order basis out of a small machine shop. The cars were initially sold under the Gaethmobile brand name.

Gaeth Automobile Company

By October 1903 total production was 24 cars since inception.

In late October 1904, after producing one-cylinder cars (and apparently a single two-cylinder car) Gaeth expanded their product offering to include a three-cylinder touring car known as the Gaeth Triplex.

In 1905 the three-cylinder Triplex was discontinued, and the 1905 lineup instead included a four-cylinder and two-cylinder car. Distribution was still largely regional as opposed to the larger firms who would market to the whole country and even other nations, but in late 1905 plans were being made for a larger factory and more expansive distribution network. The plant was being provided by outside funding. Another development for 20–5 was a still unnamed 50 horsepower model.

The company offered three four-cylinder models for 1906: The 20–24 horsepower Type G, the 30–40 horsepower Type H, and the 50–54 horsepower Type J. A commercial wagon, known as the Model K, was also offered starting in the middle of the year.

For the 1907 model year the company offered a 35 horsepower four-cylinder model known as the Type XII.

Over the course of three days in September 1907 a reliability run was held in Cleveland. Eight cars would have their hoods sealed and then driven a route of over 150 miles each day. The competing cars were two Buicks, two Cartercars, two Jacksons, a Mora and a Gaeth Type K Delivery Wagon. Points were deducted for each stop and repair. During the contest it rained heavily and cars were skidding and failing in the muddy roads. The Gaeth was the only car to score a perfect score during the trial. Granted the trail had a much lower turnout than hoped for.

Gaethmobile

The first production model was introduced in 1902 and was known as the Gaethmobile. It was a two-seat runabout with a single-cylinder horizontal engine underneath the rear of the body. RPM varied between 200 and 1000. Top speed was 30 miles an hour. There were two forward speeds and a reverse from a planetary transmission. It was right hand drive and used a tiller to steer. The Gaethmobile weighed 1,200 pounds and was sold on an order only basis.

Gaeth Triplex

The Gaeth Triplex was introduced sometime in 1904. The car was powered by a three-cylinder horizontal gasoline engine making 25–30 horsepower; the hood did not contain the engine, and the engine was under the seats like many early touring cars. The advertised body was a side entrance touring car. Cooling was by thermo-syphon, and the car had a two-speed planetary transmission and reverse. Top speed was 50 miles an hour; engine speed was between 150 and 1200 RPM. The car was right hand drive with a steering wheel by Brown-Lipe and a foot throttle. Two brakes were employed, a service brake that operated on the differential which was controlled by a foot lever, and an emergency brake that operated on the rear wheels that was controlled by a lever. Wheelbase was 100 inches.

Type H

The Type H was available for 1906. It was the middle model in the 1906 lineup. It made 30–40 horsepower out of a vertical four-cylinder engine (as opposed to the horizontal three-cylinder in the Triplex). The cylinders were cast in pairs. There were three forward gears and a reverse from a sliding gear transmission. Cooling was by thermo-siphon. There were two sets of brakes, a service brake controlled by a foot pedal that acted on the outside of the rear drums, and an emergency brake that was operated by a hand lever that worked on the inside of the rear drum brakes. Two bodies were offered, a side entrance "King of the Belgians" tonneau, and the second was a surrey. The seats were leather, and there was a trunk that could be accessed from behind the car. Five lamps, horn, and tools were standard.

Type K Delivery Wagon

The Model K did not share engines with the larger models; instead, it would employ a single-cylinder gasoline engine making 10–12 horsepower. It used a two-speed planetary transmission which had a reverse. The vehicle weighed 1,800 pounds and could carry up to 1,500 pounds. The wheelbase was 103 inches, and steering was by steering wheel. Final Drive was by chain. The price was $1200 for 1906.