Electric motor, solid axles with semi-elliptic leaf springs and two-wheel mechanical drum brakes.

- Offered from the Estate of John O’Quinn

- Rare electric car built in Switzerland

- Formerly in the James Cousens Cedar Crossing Collection

- Wood body with vis-à-vis seating arrangement

A. Tribelhorn & Co. AG, of Feldbach, Switzerland on the north shore of the Lake of Zürich, was a manufacturer of commercial electric vehicles. Beginning around 1902, however, they built some electric passenger cars. The first was an open two-seater with front-wheel drive. Called the “light doctor’s car,” it was well received in Switzerland and Germany, and heavier double-phaetons, landaulets and limousines had bodies by Geissberger of Zürich. The cars were quite expensive but managed a small, loyal following. In 1918, the company was sold to Elektrische Fahrzeuge AG of Altstetten in Zürich. A three-wheel two-seater was introduced and was widely used by the Swiss Post Office.

This Tribelhorn electric car was formerly in the noted Cedar Crossing Collection of James Cousens, and it benefits from an older restoration. Its wooden body is painted red with yellow accents and brass trim, including the horn and two lamps. The fenders are also of wood, and the batteries and electrical components reside under the seats. The car is maneuvered via tiller steering with an ammeter and voltage gauge in the driving compartment. Despite playing home to several very well-known coachbuilders, Graber and Worblaufen included, Switzerland’s automotive production history is comparatively limited but highlighted perhaps most recently by the sports cars of Peter Monteverdi, who used American motors. The delightful electric car presented here, however, is of Swiss construction through and through.