Vehicle Description
Rauch & Lang of Cleveland, Ohio, started in the carriage industry,
much like many of its early contemporaries in the automobile
business. Beginning in 1884 as a partnership between wagon builder
Jacob Rauch and a real estate magnate Charles Lang, the company was
quite successful from the start. Rauch & Lang set their sights much
higher than ordinary wagons, focusing on luxurious and prestigious
carriages for wealthy buyers. That clientele remained loyal when
Rauch & Lang switched over to horseless carriages in 1903 following
the purchase of a Buffalo Electric dealership. In 1905, the Rauch &
Lang name first appeared on an electric automobile, and sales soon
grew steadily. When Rauch & Lang constructed our featured example
in 1916, the company offered a diverse range of seven body styles
with three different wheelbases. Mass production was in its
infancy, and the horseless carriage was still considered a novelty
for the wealthy. With prices ranging from $2600 to $4500 (for
reference, a Model T was just $345), the Rauch & Lang electric
found favor among well-off city dwellers, where its moderate range
and its silent smoke-free operation fit well with urban life.
Around 1912, Cadillac's electric self-starter appeared for the
first time on a petrol engine, and R&L reacted by merging with
fellow electric car maker Baker Motor Vehicle Company. The merger
allowed Rauch & Lang to carry on for a few more years, but by the
mid-1920s, the popularity of electrics waned. After moving
production to a new facility in Massachusetts where they built both
gasoline and electric powered taxicabs and even began experimenting
on a petrol/electric hybrid, the great stock market crash sounded
the final death knell for Rauch & Lang in 1929. Offered here is an
attractive 1916 Rauch & Lang Electric Brougham, one of fewer than
1,000 built during the company's later years. This car's 92-inch
wheelbase and handsome fully-enclosed Brougham coachwork denote it
as a Model BX6. At $2,800 new, it was more thaneighttimes the cost
of a Model T runabout. Finished in an attractive two-tone blue
color scheme, this R&L benefits from an outstanding restoration
with authentic, period-correct details. Finish quality is to an
very high standard, with smooth glossy surfaces and only a few
minor imperfections noted on close inspection. Fittings include
nickel-rimmed headlights, twin cowl lamps, and artillery wheels
with black tires, providing a charming overall aesthetic. The cabin
is trimmed in complementary blue fabric and features "parlor style"
seating for four, made possible by the electric's lack of a
traditional dash panel. The driver sits on the rear bench and
steers via the folding tiller, facing two swiveling individual
rear-facing chairs. Additional controls for throttle, brake, and
reverse selection are within easy reach of the driver. The soft
trim is excellent, with taut fabric displaying minimal indications
of use. Additional features include a Waltham clock and a
delightful instrument cluster with Rauch & Lang-branded Warner
gauges to monitor speed, mileage, DC volts, amps, and amp-hours.
Like most early electric cars, this Rauch & Lang is delightfully
simple to run and drive. The front and rear compartments house an
array of batteries, which feed a single motor driving the rear
wheels. This example drives very well, operating in near silence
that seems at odds with it being more than a century old. As
today's manufacturers increasingly commit to pure electric power,
the electric cars of 100-plus years ago warrant a fresh look from
collectors and enthusiasts. This lovely and rare Rauch & Lang
Electric is no exception. With appealing looks and ease of
ownership, it is sure to charm the dedicated electric car
enthusiast and the newcomer alike. Offers welcome and trades
considered For additional details please view this listing directly
on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6922-1916-rauch-lang-electric-bx6-brougham/
