1915 Milburn Light Electric Coupe

Lot details
Registration No: BF 5106
Chassis No: 15-307
Mot Expiry: March 2010

Founded by Englishman George Milburn and once the largest manufacturer of its kind in the world, the Toledo, Ohio based Milburn Wagon Company diversified into motor car manufacture during autumn 1914. However, unlike most rivals it chose the electric motor rather than the internal combustion engine as a means of propulsion. Conceived by Karl Probst, who would go on to design the Bantam Jeep, the first Milburn Light Electric cars could be had in either Model 15 Coupe ($1,485) or Model 151 Roadster ($1,285) guises. Though, both shared the same 100-inch wheelbase ladder-frame chassis equipped with all-round leaf-sprung suspension (semi-elliptic front / cantilever rear) and two-wheel mechanical brakes.

Supplied by General Electric, the DC-fed motor was controlled by a non-arcing rotating drum that yielded four-forward and two-reverse speeds. With a range of fifty miles and a coachwork dependent top speed of between 15mph and 19mph, the Milburn Light Electric was altogether more practical than some of its petrol-supping peers. Albeit that driving anywhere `off the grid' could result in a one-way trip. However, in the urban environment for which they were primarily intended the Model 15 Coupe and Model 151 Roadster made a lot of sense. Lighter and more agile than the comparable machines fielded by Baker and Detroit, the Milburn was also less expensive.

Initial sales were brisk and it was not long before the Light Electric range expanded to include Brougham, Town Car, Sedan and even Delivery Truck variants. Bowing to mainstream tastes, Milburn seemingly made its products look ever more conventional with every passing season. A factory fire caused $900,000 worth of losses during 1919. And while Milburn recovered, its focus increasingly turned towards making coachwork for other firms. Unable to resist a $2,000,000 offer from General Motors in February 1923, production of the Light Electric stopped shortly thereafter. Favoured by the likes of President Woodrow Wilson (not to mention his secret service officers), Milburns have long been collectible. Indeed, a 1915 Light Electric took second pace in the Antique class at the 1962 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

Finished in Lavender over Black with grey upholstery, this particular example - a notably early Model 15 Coupe - is understood to have been treated to over $40,000 worth of recent restoration work. Investigated and tested, the electric motor was reportedly found to look "almost new inside". Upgraded with deep cycle `Optima' batteries, the Milburn comes complete with a charger and copy instruction book. The latter is particularly useful given that the Coupe retains its original tiller steering and lever speed control (both of which fold into place). Nominally a four-seater, passengers number three and four will find themselves facing the driver and with their backs to the windscreen.

Although, nothing is known about the car's history until it surfaced in Canada a few years ago, the presence of what appears to be the original cloth upholstery argues that the Light Electric has never been seriously neglected. Riding on correct type wooden wheels shod with pneumatic tyres, this delightful Milburn sports a volt meter, amp meter, speedometer / odometer and 7-day clock. Rare as the proverbial hen's teeth especially on this side of The Pond, it is worthy of close inspection.