1908 Pope-Waverley Electric - Model 71

Well we haven't come that far in nearly a 120 years !

Fun fact: at the start of the 20th Century 40% of American automobiles were powered by steam, 38% by electricity and 22% by petrol...incredibly over 33,650 electric cars were registered in the USA.

English inventor Thomas Parker, who was responsible for electrifying the London Underground, built the first production electric car in London during 1884, using his own specially designed high-capacity rechargeable batteries.

Would you believe that the first-ever Porsche was an electric car designed by Ferdinand Porsche in 1898, "Egger-Lohner electric vehicle, C2 Phaeton model".

The Pope-Waverley Electric was produced in the USA from 1896 to 1914 and was called "by far the best Electric car on the market". It was owned by such celebrities as Thomas Edison and William Horlick (creator of malted milk). In 1909 Pope-Waverley boasted its automotive output was the largest in the world and that its cars were "swift as the speed laws of the average city will permit".

The Pope-Waverley was available in many different models, for instance, the Model 67 Victoria in 1906 sold for $1,600, which in today's money would be a heady $57,000...sounds strikingly similar the values of today's offerings!

This Model 71 has black leather fenders and electric coach lamps at the front and rear plus addition of modern indicators. Steering is performed via a tiler and power comes from a 60-volt DC motor driven by 5 x 12v Modern Gel Lead Acid batteries. It has a top speed of around 16 mph on the flat with a range of 20-30 miles.....it's a cinch to drive and huge fun too!

Sales of electric cars peaked in in the early 1910's....sounds a familiar tale! In 1915 the Ford Model T was selling for $490 and had a range of 200 miles on a tank of petrol. Whilst the Pope-Waverley was for years synonymous with luxury, its appeal wanned against the Ford and in the long run simply couldn't compete and sadly, during 1916 the company closed its doors.

Its been beautiful kept and mainly used as means of perambulating around its owners estate but copes admirably with local usage....there's even a hood!

To alleviate that 'range anxiety', one can use as the owner often has, a smallish portable generator that simply allows you a modern 'plug in & go' scenario.

It would be a pleasure to answer any questions you might have. However, to really appreciate this car, it needs to be seen “in the flesh”, so do please call on +44(0)1737 844999 to arrange a viewing.