1930 Other Makes Detroit Electric Model 97

Electric

19600

Clear

The first Detroit electric was produced in 1907. Production rose to 400 in 1908, 650 in 1909 and 1500 in 1910. 1911 saw the introduction of the (chainless) direct shaft system that had been several years in development. Despite the excellent performance of the Detroit in a number of endurance runs the company was always careful to insist that its product was not a touring car, though it would ("take you anywhere that an automobile may go with in a mileage radius farther than you will ever care to travel in one day.") In a company-sponsored test, a Detroit electric ran 211 miles on a single battery charge, though 80 miles between charges was the figure generally advertised. By 1914 production had reached 4669 cars, but the war effort began to take its toll on production. Also by 1914 an electric starter was available on many gasoline engine cars. The Detroit electric was actually produced until 1936, but during the last 10 years, production never exceeded 180 units per year. The body style of the Detroit electric changed very little from 1909 to 1931. The only noticeable difference was a change in the running lights and some cars had their tops lowered to give the car "streamlined look". The earlier models had fancier lights that have would have been common on the brass era cars and carriages. Although the car was marketed to men, the Detroit electric has always been a woman's car. If you notice the seat configuration, the passenger seat faces the driver so that a pleasant conversation is possible while traveling. The car is steered by a tiller and not a steering wheel (the long handle.) Moving the small handle forward to 4 pre-set detents controls the speed. The smaller handle, when pulled toward the driver, also engages a driveshaft break to slow or stop the car. The drum brakes are actuated by a brake pedal on the floor, but care must be taken not to depress the smaller petal to the left of the brake because it shuts off all electrical power and locks the brakes. The top speed is a blistering 25 mph This 1930 Detroit electric was one of 178 built in 1930. These cars were built to special order from a large inventory of parts that were manufactured before 1920. The car was repainted many years ago, but the interior was redone about seven years ago. The car will run well on 84 or 96 volts (14 or 16 6 volt golf cart batteries). The car is set up to charge the 2 banks of batteries using a 48 volt charger (included). We know the car was built for J Stanley Morton who at the time was 80 years old. His initials were put on the door at the factory. Morton was born September 16, 1850, in Benton Harbor, Michigan, and died in the same city on October 1, 1936. His home in Benton Harbor was called the Indian Hotel because he let the local Indians who came to town to sell their wares sleep on the huge porch. The primary commercial achievement of J. S. Morton was his co-founding and administering of the Graham and Morton Company shipping firm. Morton began his own steamship company in 1874 with one vessel that carried freight between Benton Harbor and Chicago. In 1875 Morton entered a partnership that formed the Graham and Morton Company. The growth of the fruit industry in southwestern Michigan provided Morton with the opportunity to expand his company with profits from shipments to the large consumer market of Chicago. There is an active antique electric car club with a great newsletter. Any questions, please ask!