Seven Electrics featured at Milwaukee Masterpiece
You might get to see one Nomad here, a single Duesenberg there and a lone Crown Victoria over yonder, so when you can see a large number of a rare…
You might get to see one Nomad here, a single Duesenberg there and a lone Crown Victoria over yonder, so when you can see a large number of a rare or unusual type of call all in one place, that's quite a treat.
OCW reader Dave Lefeber did just that when he helped gather some rarely seen early cars for an upcoming event. Read what he has to say below...
Seven Electrics featured at Milwaukee Masterpiece
By Dave Lefeber
In what is believed to be a first for a concours d’elegance, the Milwaukee Masterpiece will feature a display of electric vehicles among the 175 rare and exotic cars to be shown along Lake Michigan at Veteran’s Park Aug. 21-22.
Along with the likes of Duesenberg and Ferrari, the show will feature seven electric vehicles from five different manufacturers, all in a class of their own, and all seeing a resurgence in interest as their technology becomes relevant to the American driver.
“Electrics,” as these electric-powered vehicles are often called, were originally designed as luxurious commuter cars for the well-to-do in the early 1900s. Many of them had very fine interiors along with a crystal vase for fresh-cut flowers. The cars were mostly enclosed, tall, stagecoach-appearing vehicles with tiller steering. Wealthy doctors and women were the primary purchasers of electrics, these cars did not have to be started with a dangerous crank nor did they require strong arm, plus they were reliable and most had a range of 50 to 100 miles on a single charge.
Representing the electric class will be a 1908 Pope-Waverly Model 69-B roadster, a 1910 Baker victoria roadster, a 1915 Detroit, a 1916 Rauch & Lang J6 Dual Drive coach, a 1917 Milburn Light brougham, a 1929 Detroit Model 98FD brougham and a 1932 Detroit Model 97 coupe. This will be one of the largest groups of old electrics ever on public display. There will also be a raffle drawing on both Saturday and Sunday for a ride in the 1929 Detroit. Proceeds from the raffle will benefit Jewish Family Services, the beneficiary of the Milwaukee Masterpiece.
When arriving at the show grounds on Sunday, watch for the electrics to silently arrive and depart or you just might miss them.
For more information, go to www.milwaukeemasterpiece.com
Angelo Van Bogart is the editor of Old Cars magazine and wrote the column "Hot Wheels Hunting" for Toy Cars & Models magazine for several years. He has authored several books including "Hot Wheels 40 Years," "Hot Wheels Classics: The Redline Era" and "Cadillac: 100 Years of Innovation." His 2023 book "Inside the Duesenberg SSJ" is his latest. He can be reached at avanbogart@aimmedia.com