Baker Electric Car and the Baker Motor
Vehicle Company 1899-1914
Baker Motor Vehicle Company was a manufacturer of Brass Era electric automobiles
in Cleveland, Ohio from 1899 to 1914. The first Baker vehicle was a two seater
with a selling price of US$ 850. One was sold to Thomas Edison as his first car.
Edison also designed the nickel-iron batteries used in some Baker electrics.
These batteries have extremely long lives, and some are still in use.
Production
The model range was expanded in 1904 to two vehicles, both two-seaters with
armored wood-frames, centrally-located electric motors, and 12-cell batteries.
The Runabout had 0.75 hp (0.6 kW) and weighed 650 lbs. The Stanhope cost $1,600,
weighed 950 lbs, had 1.75 hp (1.3 kW) and three-speed transmission. It was
capable of 14 mph.
In 1906 Baker made 800 cars, making them the largest electric vehicle maker in
the world at the time. They bragged that their new factory was "the largest in
the world" in advertisements. The company also made a switch from producing
Baker Electric Carriages to automobiles. According to the company promotionals;
"We employ the choicest materials in every detail of their construction and
finish, producing vehicles which in every minute particular, cannot be equaled
for thorough excellence."
The 1906 Baker Landolet was priced at $4,000. The company also manufactured
Imperials, Suburbans, Victorias, Surreys, and Depot Carriages.
By 1907, Baker had seventeen models, the smallest being the Stanhope and the
largest the Inside Drive Coupe. There was also the US$4,000 Extension Front
Brougham with the driving seat high up behind the passengers mimicking a Hansom
cab.
Baker also introduced a range of trucks with capacity of up to 5 tons in 1907.
In late 1910, the Baker Electric was quite luxurious and priced at $2,800. It
had a seating capacity of four passengers and was painted black with choice of
blue, green or maroon panels. The latest model also offered a Queen Victoria
body as "interchangeable on chassis" priced at an additional $300.
The Baker of 1910 was the only electric that had a heavy series wound motor of
300 percent overload capacity, with a commutator "absolutely proof against
sparking and burning under all conditions."
By late 1913, the company advertised their new model as "The magnificent new
Baker Coupe" and that the car was "just what the public demanded, a genuine
automobile, not an electrically driven coach." That year, the car had "increased
roominess, full limousine back, longer wheel base, graceful, low-hung body
lines, with both interior and exterior conveniences and appointments which have
set a new mark in motor car refinement." Another new feature were revolving
front seats which faced forward or "turn about."
In 1913 Baker was overtaken in sales by Detroit Electric and in 1914 merged with
fellow Cleveland automaker Rauch and Lang to become Baker, Rauch & Lang. The
last Baker cars were made in 1916, but electric industrial trucks continued for
a few more years. Baker, Rauch & Lang went on to make the Owen Magnetic under
contract.
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