The Showalter Motorette Company

Above: The Showalter Motorette Company at 671 Orange Avenue in Winter Park, Florida. The Showalter Motorette Company started by J. S. Showalter and his business partner, Ford Rogers, opened for business on November 28, 1945. 

The three wheeled motor vehicle will go 30 mph on a 5 horsepower engine and burns only one gallon of gasoline every 100 miles. It was created by four Curtis-Wright employees in Buffalo, New York and the second one off the production line arrived in downtown Orlando on November 30, 1945.

The starting line of Orlando’s First National Motorette Derby, October 14, 1946. The 2.4 mile derby course started at Weber Avenue and ended at Church Street in downtown Orlando. The derby was sponsored by the City of Orlando and the Greater Orlando Chamber of Commerce. Lt. Vernon Rogers of the Orlando Traffic Department was in charge of policing Orange Avenue to keep it clear of traffic during the race.

The first motorette arrived in downtown Orlando on November 30, 1945. The three wheeled motor vehicle will go 30 mph on a 5 horsepower engine and burns only one gallon of gasoline every 100 miles.

Hubert R. Caldwell, center with trophy, is the winner of Orlando’s First National Motorette Derby, October 14, 1946. Presenting the trophy is Stephen A. Bucholtz, president of the Motorette Company of Buffalo. Mr. Caldwell of Caldwell Repair Service, averaged 33 mph completing the 2.4 mile course in 4 minutes 22 seconds. In addition to the trophy, the winner received a new 1947 motorette.

J. S. Showalter and his business partner, Ford Rogers, opened Showalter Motorette Company at 671 Orange Avenue in Winter Park on November 28, 1945.

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All photos courtesy the Showalter Family Archives.

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