SUNDAY DRIVE

SUNDAY DRIVE

Baker Electric

1904

AS TOLD TO Joshua Brosnahan

Very few people know that there was a period at the start of motoring where electric cars were very popular, but very few have survived. This is the oldest original electric vehicle in New Zealand. This is one of six in the world. Two are in museums, and four are privately owned, so it took me many years searching the world to finally acquire one. These were the vehicle of choice for the First Ladies of The White House.

The vehicle was previously owned by an 86 year old, and it was largely unrestored, and I have kept it that way. The driving is fantastic, as it has tiller steering. Yes, it’s lefthand drive and rather quiet. It’s slightly faster than a cyclist. If I park in the supermarket car park, I always return to a number of people looking. It is rather valuable, and even my wife does not know how much it is worth.