Electric Cars

[Guest Hal Davis (MODEL A HAL)]

Does anyone remember the electric cars that came out in the mid '70's? I was just a kid, but I remember seeing a few of these things. They were rather boxy and had a sloping front end. Looked like a wedge coming down the street. It seems like they may have only been two seaters. My sister's neighbor had one at the time. It seems like my brother-in-law said that it would only do about 30 mph and a range of maybe 30 miles, but I'm just going from memory.

If anyone knows anything about these, tell us about them. Any photos? Are there any left? They would probably qualify for AACA shows by now. If not, then real soon.

[29 Chandler]

I can't offer any info about these cars, but there is one in a fenced area near my house. I have never seen it move though. I'll try and get a picture to post.

[Guest BruceW]

Hal,

There were several different types of electric cars.Check out the following URL:

http://www.no-name-garage.co.uk/existing/for%20sale/comuta.html

Is this the one you are talking about?

Hope this helps.

[Guest Hal Davis (MODEL A HAL)]

That's the one, Bruce. Looks like my memory was better than I thought. 30-35 mph and 30 mile range.

[Ron Green]

I saw one of these cars at the Fall Carlisle meet this past year for sale jammed in some guys space. I think it was one of the Citicars shown in the attachment. I think the asking price was around $4,600. I would say it was a 3-/4+ condition. Back in the mid 70's the guy that ran the 7-11 up the street had one. He would leave it plugged in all day while he worked.

[Dave@Moon]

When I was a kid these were pretty common in suburban Monroeville (Pittsburgh). <span style="font-style: italic">A&L Motors</span>, the local British Leyland and Datsun dealer, had a franchise and sold several around town.

Bruce's British link for this car has some incorrect information in it. Here's one of several sites that cover this vehicle.

[rocketraider]

I think there's still one of these things in South Boston VA. A little foreign car shop had it for years. Same shop had a bathtub Packard for a long time too. It's been a couple years since I've been in that part of town.

[Guest]

There are a couple of Citicars around my area, they could probably be obtained fairly reasonably but would need a good deal of work plus over $1,000.00 in new deep cycle batteries.

There is however a 1961 Renault Dauphine that was converted to electric when new sitting in my carriage barn for the winter. A fascinating and well engineered conversion using a 1920's Baker electric vehicle motor{variable field weakening control with nichrome resistor banks} on a 96Volt system bolted up to the Renault bellhousing and transaxle with an on board charger. I get about 45-50 miles between charges {hilly area} and 45mph tops. It was built for the famed violinist Jascha Heifetz who used it for quite a while according to the registrations I have. I use it for jaunts and errands around town.

[Guest Hal Davis (MODEL A HAL)]

I'll bet that get the looks.