Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 43
1916 Rauch & Lang BX6 Brougham Chassis no. 31533
Sold for US$84,000 inc. premium
Lot 43
1916 Rauch & Lang BX6 Brougham
1916 Rauch & Lang BX6 Brougham
Chassis no. 31533
Chassis no. 31533
80 Volt Electric Motor
Tiller Operated Throttle
4-Wheel Semi-Elliptical Leaf Spring Suspension
Rear Wheel Drum Brakes
* Remarkably well preserved and original
* Cost eight times more than a Ford Model T when it was new
* Formerly part of the Kelsey family collection for over 75 years
* Updated with modern batteries and new tires
THE RAUCH & LANG
Among America's most respected carriage builders, Rauch & Lang successfully bridged the transition from horse-drawn transport to the emerging motor age. Established in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1884 by Jacob Rauch and Charles Lang, the firm earned an enviable reputation for producing finely crafted, luxurious carriages for an affluent clientele. Recognizing the potential of electric propulsion, the company entered the automobile market in 1903 as a Buffalo Electric agent before introducing its own Rauch & Lang-branded electric cars in 1905. By acquiring the Hertner Electric Company in 1907, Rauch & Lang gained control over the manufacture of its motors and controllers, allowing nearly every major component to be produced in-house and cementing its reputation as one of America's premier electric automobile manufacturers.
By 1916, Rauch & Lang offered an extensive range of sophisticated electric cars in multiple wheelbases and body styles, catering to discerning urban motorists who valued refinement, reliability, and ease of operation. With prices ranging from $2,600 to $4,500—at a time when Ford's Model T sold for less than $400—these elegant electrics occupied the very top tier of the American automobile market. Their silent operation, absence of smoke or vibration, and uncomplicated controls made them especially popular among wealthy city residents. Following its merger with the Baker Motor Vehicle Company, Rauch & Lang continued production into the early 1920s before the widespread adoption of self-starting gasoline automobiles ultimately brought the era of luxury electric cars to a close.
THE CAR OFFERED
Offered here is a beautifully well-preserved 1916 Rauch & Lang Model BX6 Brougham, believed to be one of fewer than 1,000 examples produced during the company's later years. Riding on the 92-inch wheelbase and fitted with handsome fully enclosed Brougham coachwork, this example originally carried a list price of $2,800—more than eight times the cost of a contemporary Model T Runabout.
The car boasts extraordinary provenance, having been acquired in the late 1940s by noted collector Paul Kelsey for what would become the Kelsey Antique Auto Collection. Opened in 1954 in the Missouri Ozarks, the museum became a well-known roadside attraction, and this Rauch & Lang remained a prominent exhibit throughout its history. Following the museum's closure in the 1990s, the car remained in the Kelsey family, resulting in over 75 years of continuous family ownership before entering its current collection.
Remarkably, the BX6 has never been restored and is believed to retain its original paint and finishes, making it an exceptionally rare preservation example. The blue broadcloth interior remains beautifully intact and is complemented by a set of period custom-fitted cloth slipcovers, made decades ago to protect the upholstery and still accompanying the car today. Their continued presence contributes to the authentic character developed over generations of careful stewardship.
The thoughtfully designed interior exemplifies the ingenuity of early electric automobiles. Without the intrusion of a conventional engine compartment, the cabin offers distinctive parlor-style seating for four. The driver occupies the rear bench and controls the car with a folding tiller, facing two rear-facing passenger seats—one swiveling and one fixed. The controls for speed, braking, and reverse are conveniently positioned, while the dashboard is fitted with a charming array of Rauch & Lang-branded Warner instruments monitoring speed, mileage, voltage, amperage, and battery consumption. A Waltham clock remains fitted, while delightful period details include a full-width interior rearview mirror above the windshield and even a handheld vanity mirror housed in a dedicated pocket beside the driver's position.
Since leaving the Kelsey family, the car's remarkable originality has been carefully maintained rather than restored. It has been fitted with six modern 12-volt deep-cycle batteries and new tires to facilitate operation, while the original battery boxes remain intact—an exceptionally uncommon survival. The car is reported to be running and driving, although, following its long-term museum preservation, some routine recommissioning should be anticipated before regular use.
Highly original early electric automobiles are seldom encountered, particularly those retaining such an extraordinary degree of authenticity and documented long-term ownership. Equally suited to preservation-class concours competition, museum exhibition, or events celebrating the history of alternative propulsion, this remarkably intact Rauch & Lang stands as an evocative reminder that the electric automobile's history extends back well over a century, representing one of the finest surviving examples of America's pioneering luxury electric motorcars.
Footnotes
Please note this is titled as a 1915.
Saleroom notices
Please note, this vehicle is titled under its engine number, 31533. The chassis number is 60144. Please also note that the engine number listed in the catalog is incorrect.
Additional information
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