Henney Kilowatt

[go.pawel]

Henney Kilowatt was the world's first transistor-regulated electric car. It was a project of National Union Electric Company and Henney Motor Company, a coachbuilder known especially for their conversions of Packards to ambulances, hearses and limousines. The tooling and parts for the car were purchased from Renault, therefore the car looks virtually identical to Renault Dauphine. The electric propulsion system was designed and built by Eureka Williams, manufacturer of vacuum cleaners.

Production started in 1959, initially with a 36-volt system of two sequential 18-volt batteries. This solution was soon deemed impractical as the car had a range of only 40 miles and top speed of around 40 mph. For the 1960 model year Henney was fitted with a 72-volt system consisting of six 12-volt batteries. This allowed the car to reach 60 mph and drive over 60 miles on a single charge.

During the two-year production run, 100 rolling chassis were produced, of which only 47 were completed as functional cars and sold. 32-35 cars were sold to electric utility companies and only 12-15 to general public. The company continued to promote the Kilowatt in 1961 in hope of finishing and selling the remaining 53 chassis, but only a few cars were sold. The main problem was that the 72-volt system was too expensive and complicated to attain the targeted $3600 tag price.

It is estimated that between 4 and 8 cars still exist.Among them are the very first two cars - the prototype and the s/n 0001 - which for 45 years had been stored by a former company engineer, and a few years ago sold with less than 500 miles driven.

[jslagell]

Hello,

This is a beautiful car. I just got a 1960 with 1 mile on it. It has never been driven. I hope to get it working soon. It will need brake work and batteries. Yours is an inspiration. Thanks for the pics!

[mudder]

Originally Posted by go.pawel

Henney Kilowatt was the world's first transistor-regulated electric car. It was a project of National Union Electric Company and Henney Motor Company, a coachbuilder known especially for their conversions of Packards to ambulances, hearses and limousines. The tooling and parts for the car were purchased from Renault, therefore the car looks virtually identical to Renault Dauphine. The electric propulsion system was designed and built by Eureka Williams, manufacturer of vacuum cleaners.

Fascinating ! Thanks for sharing...

[NSXType-R]

Does this mean the car uses vacuum tubes?

That's awesome!

[LotusLocost]

Originally Posted by NSXType-R

Does this mean the car uses vacuum tubes?

That's awesome!

What do you mean?
Do you conclude in that since the producer of the electric components also produced vacuum cleaners, and you have heard about vacuum tubes used in high end amplifiers?

A nice and rear car, and I would love to see photos of yours jslagell!

[NSXType-R]

Originally Posted by LotusLocost

What do you mean?
Do you conclude in that since the producer of the electric components also produced vacuum cleaners, and you have heard about vacuum tubes used in high end amplifiers?

A nice and rear car, and I would love to see photos of yours jslagell!

Transistors. I think those are vacuum tubes right?

Tell you the truth, I really need to read up on that stuff. It would help me understand electronics. I really want to learn more about it, but I also can't be bothered.

I'll eventually read about it when I'm really bored.

[mudder]

Nope. Vacuum Tubes were superceded by Transistors. Its not the same thing: Vacuum tube - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[jslagell]

I got mine going and sold it. It was a great car but with the low mileage, I felt like I shouldn't drive it. When I can't drive it I loose interest so I sold it. Here are some pics.

[henk4]

First time I came across this thread, fascinating, how did it feel to drive?
Are you aware of the plans of the new owner?

[jslagell]

It was really cool to drive. It was quiet and it got more attention than any vehicle I have had. It felt strange to put the first miles on a car that was 48 years old. It has about 197 miles on it now. The new owner is a collector and has been looking for a Henney for some time to add to his collection. He wasn't sure if he would restore it or leave it as is.

[henk4]

Originally Posted by jslagell

It was really cool to drive. It was quiet and it got more attention than any vehicle I have had. It felt strange to put the first miles on a car that was 48 years old. It has about 197 miles on it now. The new owner is a collector and has been looking for a Henney for some time to add to his collection. He wasn't sure if he would restore it or leave it as is.

good to hear.
Anyway you can always buy a real Dauphine if you like that sort of attention

[Timothy (in VA)]

Out of curiosity, where in Virginia do you live (I notice your Henney had VA plates)?

[jslagell]

I live in Harrisonburg, VA. The car was sold to a gentleman who lives just north of Pittsburg, PA.

[edjohnson]

It is mentioned that Henney bought the parts from Renault to build the cars. I believe that based on the fact that these were unit construction cars and there is no separate chassis, Henney bought complete Renault Dauphines, stripped the engines etc. out of them, and installed the electrical components.
There may have been more than 100 built, becaus years later ther was an ad in either Hemmings or Cars and Parts advertising 100 of the vehicles for sale stating that they were in a warehouse. I personally remember seeing this ad. It covered a full page.
Ed Johnson

[henk4]

Originally Posted by edjohnson

It is mentioned that Henney bought the parts from Renault to build the cars. I believe that based on the fact that these were unit construction cars and there is no separate chassis, Henney bought complete Renault Dauphines, stripped the engines etc. out of them, and installed the electrical components.
There may have been more than 100 built, becaus years later ther was an ad in either Hemmings or Cars and Parts advertising 100 of the vehicles for sale stating that they were in a warehouse. I personally remember seeing this ad. It covered a full page.
Ed Johnson

Welcome Ed.
I suppose there must have been a sale of original Renault engines then as well....although it could also be that not all 100 cars mentioned in the ad were already fully converted before the project faltered.