The Mobilette is perhaps the most similar to Autoette and was manufactured by Mobilette Sales And Service, 316 East Seventh Street, Long Beach, Calif. In a brochure from Dec. 1961, the cars were advertised as being powered by three 6V batteries and had lower speed projections than the Autoette. A 1/4 Ton Pickup model was available with four batteries. Among the options were Extra Heavy Duty Batteries with a claimed 50 mile range. Advertising literature and brochures point to the company operating at least from 1960 through 1969.
The similarity to the Autoette is not by chance. Royce Seevers was not only a brilliant engineer but a great marketer as well. The Autoette factory and proprietary suppliers produced parts for a number of other makers including Mobilette. Components such as speed controllers, convertible tops, and much more were supplied by the factory to the other makers. The company, which was owned by Harry C. Bennison, was a competitor to the Autoette Co. and the Electric Shopper Co. of the same era. My car, which is shown in the video, was originally sold and delivered to a customer in Pasadena for $922.48. The price included optional doors, convertible top, turn signals, windshield, and side curtains.
Much of the restoration was done by the previous owner Phil Fortier of California and reflects his attention to detail.
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Harry Bennison was my great uncle. What fun to see his little car on the internet. He lost a thumb working on the sheet metal for the cars.
ReplyDeleteHi Tim,
ReplyDeletePlease contact me regarding your great uncle Harry. I am in contact with another of your relatives who related the same thumb story! I'd be very interested in hearing any additional information about your great uncle and his business. I can be reached at lfisher160@cox.net or at (401)253-5335.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Larry