The Anderson Carriage Company was established in Detroit in 1884 and it was not until 1907 that its proprietor, William Anderson, chose to enter the automobile age with the introduction of the Detroit Electric. In an era when electric vehicles were favored by wealthy women, none were more favored than the Detroit Electric. It actually remained in production for a remarkable 30 years, with its charming, old-fashioned carriage-like design changing little as it suited the needs of the company’s conservative clientele. Indeed, until the recent success of such modern firms as Tesla, the Detroit Electric Car Company, as it was known from 1911, actually produced more electric automobiles than any other American passenger car manufacturer. Buyers famously included the wives of Detroit automobile magnates Henry Joy (of Packard) and Henry Ford, both of whom preferred the ease of electric transportation to their husbands’ rip-snorting gas machines.

Offered here is a Model 57 Brougham, a classic Detroit Electric model with a conservative black livery but opulent parlor-like interior, featuring beautiful button-tufted patterned cloth upholstery with embroidered accents. The driver sits facing two passengers—one in a barstool-like chair that rotates for easy conversation—and steers with a long tiller bar across the lap while the left hand maneuvers a lever controlling the rate of speed. It is a very simple vehicle to learn to operate, and like all of these turn-of-the-century electrics, cruises in dead silence other than the squeaks and slight rattles of the suspension and bodywork. Restored some years ago, it is still extremely attractive, with its paint holding an excellent shine and the interior in fine, apparently original condition throughout. The cream wire wheels, chrome headlight trim, and beveled glass lamps add a sporting accent to the exterior. Tires are nearly new, as are all the batteries and cables for the 84-volt power system.

With electric cars becoming both more prevalent on American roads and more popular in general, it is always helpful to look back to their dawning, and this represents a wonderful way to do so, in an example of the onetime king of the American EV.