Restorer32 Posted April 12, 2017 Share Posted April 12, 2017 Posting this here because of the lack of traffic on the Electric Car forum. Did any company build open i.e. convertible electric cars in the teens? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted April 12, 2017 Share Posted April 12, 2017 (edited) Definitely. One of our region members, Sterling Walsh, had an open-model electric car, which has now been sold. Also, to illustrate, here is an ad for a 1911 Baker Electric: Edited April 12, 2017 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted April 12, 2017 Share Posted April 12, 2017 You should get more replies in one day here than you'd get in a year down in the Electric Car section. Happy to help! I know you asked for the 'Teens, but this one, a 1903 Woods, is so ornate and noteworthy that I thought people might like to see it. I've never seen anything like this in person, and wonder whether any still exist: 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lump Posted April 12, 2017 Share Posted April 12, 2017 Great post idea, Restorer32. And to John in Penna, I LOVE that image of that 1903 Woods. Wow...just WOW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary_Ash Posted April 12, 2017 Share Posted April 12, 2017 Studebaker made several models of electric cars from 1902-1910 with folding tops. You can see one in the Studebaker National Museum in South Bend, IN. [photo of it below taken by D. Wilkinson.] 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trulyvintage Posted April 12, 2017 Share Posted April 12, 2017 A later manufacturer to enter the market was Milburn ... They were a coach body builder who built electric car bodies for other manufacturers - then entered the market relatively late. A few weeks ago I transported this 1917 Milburn Light Electric Car from a private collector in Ocala, FL up to Richmond, IN .... Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted April 12, 2017 Author Share Posted April 12, 2017 We have a customer who wants an electric and would prefer an open car. We are currently looking at a Detroit and a Rauch and Lang. Both are closed cars and we may go for one of them if we can't find an open example. Must be complete and basically solid but needing restoration is ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted April 12, 2017 Share Posted April 12, 2017 (edited) You probably realize that AACA has a non-geographic region dedicated to antique electric vehicles: the National Antique Electric Vehicle Region. I interviewed the president of that region on the subject of what it is like to own and operate an electric vehicle from those decades. I felt that the subject would be not only interesting to read, but that it might remove some of the uncertainties that prospective owners might have about owning an electric car. Edited April 12, 2017 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted April 12, 2017 Share Posted April 12, 2017 (edited) This is annoying but just a few days ago I ran across an old magazine ad from about 1915 for a low, racy electric roadster. I don't remember where I saw it or even what kind it was except it wasn't one of the common names like Baker or Detroit. If you wanted an electric roadster bad enough you could build your own. There was a chassis for sale on here with wire wheels. Edited April 13, 2017 by Rusty_OToole (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted April 13, 2017 Share Posted April 13, 2017 Not the one I was thinking of but interesting all the same. http://theoldmotor.com/?p=147927 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryB Posted April 13, 2017 Share Posted April 13, 2017 A lot of marketing for early electric cars was aimed at female buyers so weather protection was an important feature, thus the majority were closed cars. The Detroit electric seems to have the most survivors still out there. A few months ago Hemmings Classic Car featured the restoration of a Detroit electric, it was a very interesting read. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trulyvintage Posted April 13, 2017 Share Posted April 13, 2017 Indeed .... The 1917 Milburn Light Electric had the driver positioned at the left rear seat to operate the tiller controls. The pedals were in front - under fold down seats for two passengers .... Just imagine (4) ladies of the day - maybe with hats - driving around ..... Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike6024 Posted March 15, 2020 Share Posted March 15, 2020 One is for sale now 1913 Rauch & Lang Electric Open Roadster Location: Wellington, Nevada 89444 This 1913 Rauch & Lang Electric Open Roadster is said to have spent time in Briggs Cunningham’s automotive museum in Costa Mesa, California, prior to being sold into another private collection. It was purchased in 1988 by the seller’s father, who used it as a promotional vehicle at his theme park, the Ponderosa Ranch in Incline Village, Nevada. The car has reportedly remained in storage since the theme park closed in 2004. An 80-volt Hertner electric motor powers the rear wheels through a worm drive and draws from 14 six-volt golf cart batteries. This Rauch & Lang roadster is now offered with a charger, spare tires, and a clean Nevada title in the seller’s name. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted March 15, 2020 Share Posted March 15, 2020 I'll bet that does really well. And why do people always have to mention "Jay Leno" whenever they see a prewar car for sale? It screams to me somebody that knows jack about cars. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Bond Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 The Neal Electric was built in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1897. .. The car was described as electrically driven, with a range of speed from 3 to 12 miles per hour. Only a limited number, possibly four, of these vehicles were made and none survive. The car was displayed at the 1897 Motor Car Exhibition at Crystal Palace. I'm currently working on a presentation for next year at the AACA Convention in Philadelphia on the cars that were built in Scotland. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveBerg Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 I have a 1912 Argo Electric open roadster. The Argo electrics were built in Saginaw, Michigan. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike6024 Posted March 20, 2020 Share Posted March 20, 2020 On 3/15/2020 at 3:32 PM, mike6024 said: 1913 Rauch & Lang Electric Open Roadster Ending soon This is a reminder that the following BaT Auctions listing ends in 1 hour: 1913 Rauch & Lang Electric Open Roadster Current Bid: $26,250 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike6024 Posted March 20, 2020 Share Posted March 20, 2020 No Sale, BID TO $36,000 ON 3/20/20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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