When electric-vehicle expectations had been decrease.
Per one supply, the Comuta-Automobile was the best-selling U.S.-market electrical automobile after WW II till the Tesla Mannequin S got here alongside in 2012. Whereas which will sound like a noteworthy accomplishment by the automobile’s maker, Commuter Automobiles, Inc, of Sebring, Florida, the Comuta-Automobile by no means really bought particularly properly. However, it did promote properly sufficient, although simply hardly, to be remembered.
1979 Comuta-Automobile: Favourite Automobile Adverts
Specs
Supplied between 1979 and 1982, the tiny 2-seater featured a cheese-wedge design, blocky bumpers, and all of 6 horsepower.
The Comuta-Automobile featured a 48-volt electrical system, pushed by 8 6-volt batteries. Reported vary was a modest 30-40 miles, and prime pace 40 mph, making the Comuta-Automobile extra of a high-performance golf cart than a conventional-car various.
What amuses us about this advert, is how little effort was put into making the automobile seem in any approach enticing.
Costs
Costs throughout the automobile’s transient run ranged from $4000 to $6500. To place that quantity into perspective, contemplate the 6-passenger Dodge Aspen, which for 1980 began round $5200.
The Advert
What you see right here, by the way in which, is the whole advert. Whereas we recognize how information print limits the general picture high quality of an advert, we expect the parents at Commuter Automobiles, Inc. simply phoned this one in.
Some non-obligatory/accessible aluminum wheels, or bodyside flame decals may need spiffed issues up a bit. (The 4-color advert/brochure within the gallery beneath is a a lot better effort.)
Manufacturing Figures
All advised, a complete of 4444 Comuta-Automobiles had been bought throughout the electric-vehicle’s manufacturing run. We’re shocked the quantity is that top, given the automobile’s restricted cabin house, excessive value, and 40-mile vary. Plus, we suspect that coming into and exiting the Comuta-Automobile was an train finest left to gymnasts and folk of diminutive stature.
Native Seller
When you are unlikely to see a Comuta-Automobile on the highway nowadays, they do present up with some regularity at native automobile exhibits, a testomony to the little EV’s authentic construct high quality, and comparatively easy engineering.
Oh, and as for Electrical Powered Automobiles of Tonawanda, New York—talked about within the advert above—we suspect it was a neighborhood Comuta-Automobile supplier.
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Comuta-Automobile Photos
(Click on beneath for enlarged pictures)
