1920 Detroit Electric Model 82

Sold for $44,000 at 2011 RM Auctions - Hershey.
Sold for $66,000 at 2016 RM Sotheby's : Motor City.
Electric cars represented a significant part of the automobile market in the earliest days. As today, electrics suffered from a lack of range. However, in urban applications, their convenient operation was superior to steam cars, which required a long wait to build up steam and hand-cranked gasoline engines, which were difficult and dangerous to start. Kettering's invention of the electric starter in 1912 spelled the end of electricity and steam as viable alternatives to gasoline engines for the next century.

The Detroit Electric car was built by the Anderson Electric Car Company and subsequently the Detroit Electric Car Company from 1907 to 1932. Another fifteen cars were assembled until 1939, along with some refurbished cars. During the entire period, 12,690 cars were produced, of which only 1,450 were built after 1920 as electrics dropped from fashion. The cars had an advertised range of 80 miles between charges. The top speed was only 20 mph which was considered adequate for city driving. Women were the primary customers.

By 1920, the Detroit Electrics were available with a dummy front hood with a false radiator, resembling a Fiat. They retained their upright bodies, and this series of bodies was built by H&M Body Corporation of Racine, Wisconsin.

This car is one of about 95 Model 82s built. The Gray family owned the car for many years, finally selling it in 1952 to Joe Gest when Mrs. Gray had turned 90 years old. In about 1967, it was acquired by Louis J.M. Gravel of Montreal and in 1994 joined the Gambs Collection in Indiana from where it was acquired by Mr. Cousens.

The car is finished in beige with an upholstered interior. The 84-volt DC motor produces 4.3 horsepower. There are two-wheel mechanical brakes and a wheelbase that measures 100 inches.

In 2011, this car was offered for sale at the Hershey, PA, Auction presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $80,000-$100,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for $44,000 inclusive of the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2011