Autoette Ad on Ebay - Levine - Econogics



Autoette Ad on Ebay - Levine

For those who like rare, unusual cars, or milestones of EV history: This is a 1947 to 1953 Autoette - I won't guess at its exact age, but it's in that range. The power came from tank turret motors - this one used a single one driving one rear wheel by chain (you only notice this strange arrangement if the wheel slips on loose ground). There were front and rear springs, but the ride can still get pretty rough (no shocks!). These are considered one of the first electric golf carts, or one of the first electric wheelchairs, depending on where you find your information -- most states have "autoette" in their code books under "power wheelchairs", but they do seat 2 people comfortably, so that's a bit misleading. They were run off of 4 x 6v flooded batteries (you know, the golf cart kind!), but I had this one zipping around on 36V (3 x 12V) of somewhat tired sealed batteries. The Lester charger that came with it had lost all its "bells and whistles", so the timer didn't work, it just put out the right power (adjusted a little with multiple taps on the transformer). I had modified the charger with an added power supply to give me the end voltage needed for a 36V pack, but I can change it back - I assume the buyer would want to keep to the stock 24V setup, which is good for about 20mph, and over 20mi. Once I got it running, I realized I didn't have the expertise to do a good restoration job for such an historic EV, so I am starting the bidding very low to encourage interest -- there's no reserve, so if there's little interest, you may get a deal! I'd like to sell to someone willing to fix it all up: new roof/framework, new upholstery, body work, etc, but if you just want something fun to run around in, that's OK. too. It would fit in a full-sized pickup's bed, so if you're in N.Cal, it would be fairly easy to get it home. Transport has to be arranged by the buyer, whether commercial carrier or otherwise. I will be removing the nearly-dead batteries, so total weight will probably be less than 400 pounds. If you don't see the pictures, that's because there was too much traffic to the Yahoo! site that hosts them - check back later and they should be available.

The strip of metal near the top of the body holds down the windshield - the plastic one that came with it had shattered, so it will need this. There were snaps on the sides for attaching "inclement weather screens", like old British sports cars used.

To the back of the driver's door opening is the control handle - forward for 3 levels of speed (full or half of a resistor in line, or stright battery), pulled back to brake, and a horn button on the tip of the handle. The other hand guides the tiller, so no foot pedals are used.

Seats have been reuphostered, because a small tear in the corner of one reveals burgundy "naugahyde". The are a pair of brackets to the left in this picture, but I have no idea what they were for.

The roof looks "lumpy" because of the braces I applied to the framework - it use to be held together with thin strips of metal kept on with electrical tape! My braces make the frame quite thicker at the roofline, but I felt better about keeping the roof on after I added them.

Brake lights, tail lights, and turn signals work (some have burned out bulbs from playing with different voltages). My 160 pound son stood on that back lip/bumper, so I know it's solid.

The steering tiller has the turn signal switch and indicator light on top. Cloth on the armrests shows wear, and the material beneath in some places.

Here you can see the double door on the passenger side, allowing transfers from wheelchairs. Batteries sit beneath the seat, and the charger goes behind it. The most rust you'll find is on the surface in the dent above the right front turn signal.

Thanks for looking, and good luck to all bidders. Let me know if you have any details on this vehicle.

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