Baker Motor Vehicle

Baker Motor Vehicle Company

Company type	Private
Industry	Automotive
Founded	1899 (1899) in Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Founder	Walter C. Baker
Defunct	1914 (1914)
Fate	Merged with Rauch and Lang to form Baker, Rauch & Lang
Successor	Baker, Rauch & Lang
Headquarters	Cleveland , United States
Area served	United States
Key people	Walter C. Baker (Founder)
Products	Electric automobiles, commercial vehicles, trucks

Baker Motor Vehicle Company was a Cleveland, Ohio-based American manufacturer specializing in Brass Era electric automobiles. Operating between 1899 and 1914, the firm was established by Walter C. Baker and became known for its focus on electric-powered cars during the nascent period of the automotive industry.

History

Baker introduced its initial model as a two-seat vehicle priced at US$850. Notably, inventor Thomas Edison selected one as his inaugural automobile and played a role in refining the nickel-iron batteries utilized in certain Baker vehicles, improving their durability and performance.

1902 accident

In May 1902, Baker participated in a speed competition held on Staten Island with a purpose-built racing electric car featuring a streamlined 'torpedo' design and heavy lead-zinc battery packs weighing approximately 3,000 pounds. The objective was to surpass 60 mph and set new electric speed benchmarks. Unfortunately, driver W.C. Baker lost control during the event, causing a crash that injured multiple spectators and resulted in two deaths. This tragedy led the Automobile Club of America to prohibit racing on public roads and diminished consumer trust in electric automobiles.

Despite this setback, Baker’s early technological advances and collaboration with Edison established the company as a trailblazer in electric vehicle development.

Early production

By 1904, Baker’s lineup had grown to include two two-seater models constructed with armored wooden frames, centrally mounted electric motors, and 12-cell batteries. The Runabout delivered 0.75 horsepower, weighed 650 pounds, and rode on a 58-inch wheelbase. The Stanhope model was priced at $1,600, weighed 950 pounds, featured 1.75 horsepower with a three-speed gearbox, and could reach speeds up to 14 mph.

In 1906, Baker manufactured 800 units, making it the largest electric vehicle producer worldwide at that time. The company transitioned from producing electric carriages to fully-fledged automobiles while prioritizing superior materials and craftsmanship as part of its business approach. The 1906 Baker Landolet carried a price tag of $4,000. Additional models included the Imperial, Suburban, Victoria, Surrey, Depot Carriages, and the unique Brougham equipped with an external rear driver’s seat.

By 1907, Baker offered seventeen different models ranging from the compact Stanhope to the spacious Inside Drive Coupe. The Extension Front Brougham was available for $4,000 and featured an elevated driver’s position situated behind the passengers, reminiscent of a hansom cab design. That year also marked the introduction of trucks capable of hauling loads up to five tons.

Towards the end of 1910, the Baker Electric was marketed as an upscale automobile priced at $2,800. It accommodated four passengers and came standard in black with optional panels in blue, green, or maroon. An interchangeable chassis option featuring a Queen Victoria body was offered for an extra $300. The 1910 model was equipped with a powerful series-wound motor capable of handling a 300% overload and included a commutator engineered to eliminate sparking under all operating conditions.

Special Baker Electrics

• A Baker Electric was included in the initial White House fleet and was driven by Helen Taft followed by Edith Bolling Wilson.
• In 1903, King Chulalongkorn of Siam acquired a customized Baker Electric adorned with ivory accents, gold trim, and pigskin upholstery.
• Jay Leno possesses a fully restored 1909 Baker Electric.

Commercial Vehicles

The Baker Motor-Vehicle Company, based in Cleveland, Ohio, concentrated its efforts on commercial vehicle production. By October 1912, the company had established a Commercial Car Department, with dealerships located in key metropolitan areas across the United States.

In 1912, Baker showcased the cost-effectiveness of deliveries for Spokane's Crescent Department Store, highlighting an all-inclusive expense of merely four cents per item.

Towards the end of 1913, Baker introduced the "magnificent new Baker Coupe," drawing attention to its enhanced spaciousness, a limousine-style rear compartment, an extended wheelbase, and pioneering revolving front seats.

The range of commercial vehicles offered comprised:

• Model X – half-ton truck
• Model O – one-ton truck
• Model U – two-ton truck
• Model CC – three-and-a-half-ton truck

Merger

In 1913, sales figures placed Baker behind Detroit Electric, leading to a 1914 merger with Cleveland-based automaker Rauch and Lang, resulting in the formation of Baker, Rauch & Lang. Production of the final Baker automobiles ceased in 1916; however, electric industrial trucks remained in manufacture for several subsequent years. Additionally, Baker, Rauch & Lang produced the Owen Magnetic under contractual agreement.

Walter C. Baker, the company's founder, engineered the Torpedo land speed record vehicle, notable for being the first automobile equipped with seat belts and capable of surpassing speeds of .

By 1919, Walter Baker had joined the board of directors at Peerless Motor Company.

In Popular Culture

A 1916 Baker Electric was featured in a 1959 episode of Peter Gunn titled "Love Me to Death" as well as an episode of Dennis the Menace aired in 1960.

Further Reading

• Jay Leno, "The 100-Year-Old Electric Car", Popular Mechanics, May 1, 2007
• David Burgess Wise, The New Illustrated Encyclopedia of Automobiles

External Links

• Baker Electric Vehicles (1907) – Catalog featuring model details and pricing from Cleveland Public Library.
• My Classic Car Season 10 Episode 14 – Jay Leno's Baker Electric Car
• Blog documenting Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome’s restoration of a Baker electric car