The Milburn of Toledo, Ohio, was similar in design to many other electric automobiles of its era, often being built with a phone booth-shaped body, and steered using a tiller bar. However, its design – by Karl Probst, the industrial designer who would go on to create the legendary Jeep – was unusually lightweight, enabling the Milburn to reach a top speed of 19 mph and cover 60 miles between charges.

With production of 4,000 cars between 1915 and 1923, the Milburn proved one of the most popular electric cars of its era. Survivors are tracked by an enthusiastic club and are always much admired whenever they are seen, either on a show field or drifting silently down a city street.

The Model 27 brougham offered here has been part of the Richard L. Burdick Collection since the early 1980s, and was restored by the collection’s own mechanics some years ago in carmine and dove grey, with a conversion to operate on modern 12-volt batteries. Much of the restoration is older and thoroughly patinaed, but would still present use for occasional driving or local cruise-ins, with the eyepopping mauve interior sure to be the object of much admiration. Importantly, the brougham retains its original diamond tube bumpers and is the only known surviving Milburn with limousine-style carriage lamps, on the sides of the body; its painted wire wheels and whitewall tires are both authentic factory options.

Charming and appealing as only a vintage electric car can be, this Milburn is ready to become the “greenest” automobile in another collection!