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 than eight times the
cost of a Model T runabout. Finished in an attractive two-tone blue
and black color scheme, this R&L benefits from an older
restoration with authentic, period-correct details. Fittings
include nickel-rimmed headlights, twin cowl lamps, and artillery
wheels with black tires, providing a charming overall aesthetic.The
cabin is trimmed in fabulous blue fabric with ivory brocade
accents, 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 one swiveling and one fixed 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 crank operated front window, sliding windows on
the doors and rear, and a delightful instrument cluster with Rauch
& Lang-branded amp-hours gauge, Warner Auto-Meter to monitor speed
and mileage, and Weston amp and volt meters. 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/7631-1916-rauch-lang-bx6/
