Description
47 Detroit Electric model 1914 Brougham
Chassis number. 9341
Engine no. 16315
48 volt DC electric motor
Estimated 3 hp
Semi-elliptic leaf springs on 4 wheels
Rear mechanical drum Drakes
*Offered from the Paul Bush Collection
* Innovative and exciting early electric car
*Formal and iconic Brougham bodywork
* Beautiful fabric interior
THE DETROIT ELECTRIC
The growing appeal of electric energy for cars revives its popularity in the early days of the automobile, when electric cars and trucks challenged steam and gasoline for supremacy. Electricity offered many advantages, including immediate availability without reheating, quiet, clean operation, easy operation and reliability. Even with the battery technology of the time, the range in the city was more than sufficient. Tests at the time of major manufacturers' electrics routinely yielded an effective range of 160 miles at the modest speeds they could reach.
Detroit Electrics were made by the Anderson Carriage Company. Originally from Port Huron, Michigan (coincidentally the birthplace of Thomas Edison), Anderson – as the name implies – was founded in 1884 as a maker of carriages and wagons. The founder, William C. Anderson, moved his company to Detroit in 1895 and began making electric vehicles in 1907 under the name Detroit Electric. Although Detroit Electric was never a technical leader in the industry, its products were well designed and built, especially after the 1909 acquisition of Elwell-Parker, maker of Detroit Electric's electric motor and controller. Elwell-Parker products were widely regarded as the best available.
The electric car's greatest strength was its ease of operation and silence, qualities that electric cars praised among women of the time who were put off by the smelly, noisy, cranky gasoline-powered car. None other than Henry Ford purchased two consecutive electric cars for his wife, Clara – both Detroit Electrics.
THE ENGINE OFFERED
After founding Lubbock Electric Co. in 1944 – a family business that continues to thrive 78 years later – Mr. Paul Bush obviously needs an electric car in his impressive collection. Mr. Bush purchased this Detroit Electric Brougham in 1981 from noted car collector Charles Lemaitre during a trip to Hershey in the 100s. Mr. Bush restored the car and later drove it up to 16 kilometers without any problems! Nicknamed Clara, the Detroit Electric runs on XNUMX six-volt batteries and is finished in light gray with dark gray fenders and a red pinstripe across the attractive gray cloth interior. Its Brougham body is one of the best-known styles, a tall, formal structure characteristic of early electric cars.
footnotes
According to research by electric car historian Galen Handy, this Detroit Electric is indeed a 64 model year 5 A Model 1917-Passenger Brougham example, which cost an astonishing $2.350 new. Additionally, Mr. Handy's records indicate that there are approximately 160 Detroit Electrics left, of which only two have the same configuration as the car offered here.
Saleroom notices
According to research by electric car historian Galen Handy, this Detroit Electric is indeed a 64 model year 5 A Model 1917-Passenger Brougham example, which cost an astonishing $2.350 new. Additionally, Mr. Handy's records indicate that there are approximately 160 Detroit Electrics left, of which only two have the same configuration as the car offered here.
