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A 1931 Detroit Electric car heads to the auction block

USA Today -- When the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt go on sale in December, they should give a spark of recognition to their forebears -- cars like this 1931 Detroit Electric Model 97 Brougham.

Old Sparky is going on the auction block this weekend in Auburn, Ind.

By 1931, it was pretty clear that gasoline was going to kill electric power. But Detroit Electric would live on for eight more years:

Detroit Electric produced its first electric car in 1907, a time when it was entirely unclear whether electricity or gasoline -- or both -- would become the fuel of choice for a fast-growing motoring America. Well, we all know how that turned out. One huge advantage for electric power: It was clean and there was no crank starter like on gas models.

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Submitted Sep 03, 2010 By: ziyulu

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TomJDriver Champion Author London Posts:1,036 Points:302,340 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 9:10:21 AM Ignore TomJDriver Report Abuse I wonder too. No results posted at RM yet. In 2006 a 1917 Detroit Electric Model 68 Touring sold at Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island for $26,400.
kelsielee Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,389 Points:672,025 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 6:41:41 PM Ignore kelsielee Report Abuse I wonder how much it will get at auction.
retiredfed Veteran Author Maryland Posts:284 Points:783,685 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 12:59:05 PM Ignore retiredfed Report Abuse huskersed misread the article - Detroit Electric made ITS first car in 1907. Europe and UK were the first to embrace electric cars in the 1800's. USA didn't begin design and production until the 1890's. The History of Electric Vehicles
coughlin Champion Author San Jose Posts:3,336 Points:755,050 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 9:34:31 AM Ignore coughlin Report Abuse I'm REALLY surprised that they last until the 1930's. I would have thought they threw in the towel LONG before that. AND until 1939! Almost made it out of the Great Depression. Amazing.
Hilsgal Sophomore Author Utah Posts:229 Points:236,440 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 9:04:12 AM Ignore Hilsgal Report Abuse WOW - I would like to be there. I hope it will fetch a nice price.
ramammoth Champion Author Modesto Posts:1,389 Points:278,565 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 8:59:58 AM Ignore ramammoth Report Abuse This 1931 is much more stylish than today's vehicles. Put a modern electric power train in this car or a replica, and it would be cool.
Huskersed All-Star Author Atlanta Posts:703 Points:337,950 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 8:25:31 AM Ignore Huskersed Report Abuse It's a good to know historical info. The very first electric car is American made.
realtorguzzler Champion Author Florida Posts:1,488 Points:259,210 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 8:02:55 AM Ignore realtorguzzler Report Abuse Nice for the collectors but let's not look back.
Bussman Champion Author Dallas Posts:3,864 Points:992,595 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:54:26 AM Ignore Bussman Report Abuse Beautiful indeed but very primitive when compared to where the auto industry was heading as evidenced by cars such as the 1931 Chenard-Walcker.
Dennis783 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:11,269 Points:2,246,985 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 6:13:02 AM Ignore Dennis783 Report Abuse Cool article