1912 Rauch and Lang Electric Brougham

Cleveland, Ohio-based Rauch & Lang Carriage Company began building horse-drawn carriages in 1853. The company switched to automobiles, producing its first electric vehicle in 1895. Most followed the designs formerly used by the high-quality carriage maker, including closed coaches and small open runabouts. Later, a larger, open-front Town Car reminiscent of formal horse-drawn limousines was offered. The Town Car, at $3,800 was quite expensive and though remaining in the company catalog for many years, it is thought that few were actually built. Constructed on a 106-inch wheelbase, it featured a bevel gear final drive in lieu of the typical worm-drive used on smaller models. 22x4.5 inch tires transferred 96 volts of power to the road through a 6-speed controller and a Hertner electric motor.

The cars they produced, both open and closed, were like their earlier carriages in the overall design and were just as expensive. They were a popular choice of women drivers who welcomed the overall simplicity and lack of fumes, which distinguished their electric cars from the early gasoline-powered alternatives. A Rauch & Lang advertisement from the period noted their electric car 'combines all the desirable features and eliminates all the well-known annoyances and much of the expense incident to gasoline cars.'

This particular Town Car is one of only a few built by the company and was once owned by Thomas Alva Edison and donated to him by a Mrs. E.W.B. Taylor. Edison used the car for a short period and later displayed it in the Edison Institute's museum. Edison had a history with Rauch & Lang, too, as he had corresponded with Charles Dalley, R&L's Vice-President about the idea of developing a Klaxon horn that trumpeted the brand of car to which it was affixed. In 1989, Robert Gottlieb, the Classic Car Editor at Motor Trend bought the Town Car and upon his passing it was purchased by the late-Mr. Rich from his estate in 2004.