A car, so strange and rare, you’ve might never heard of. And it’s not a Renault Dauphine. It’s a electric Henney Kilowatt!
In the 1950s and 1960s, some European car companies tried to sell their comparatively small cars in the USA. And apart from the Beetle, the success was modest. Renault tried with the Dauphine, and while selling quite a few in the beginning – Renault withdrew from the US market, but the umble Dauphine aroused a completely different kind of interest. The reason: electric power. First of all, I have nothing at all against electric cars. I find it extremely interesting. Since the invention of the automobile, the electric drive has always played a role. But back to the Dauphine, uhm, the Henney Kilowatt. Russell Feldman is not only president of the National Union Electric Corporation, where Exide batteries are built, he also owns Henney Coachworks – Henney built ambulances and hearses, typical coachwork business. Feldman’s Idea: An electric car from Henney, with the electric heart from Exide.
The Dauphine was chosen, obviously because Renault had some remaining stock in the US but also for two important reasons: it was much lighter than other cars on the market, and the rear-mounted engine compartment was ideal for fitting an electric motor, usually a General Electric unit. Between 1957 and 1961, Feldman ordered between 100 and 250 Dauphines from the Renault company, without any mechanical parts. Oustide it’s a Renault Dauphine. One small detail though. The side air inlets, which are no longer needed, are blocked by a fine mesh. And there is neither a “frunk” nor a trunk. Because of the batteries. They are here in the front, and here in the back. Originaly this had s General Electric 5BT1344A10 electric motor with a whopping 7.1 HP.
The Batteriepack, originally with Excide KSC9 batteries, is at the front and at the rear. So there is no need to look for a place to put one’s luggage! More batteries here at the rear compartment above the electric motor. So no rear seats. The Henney is a real two-seater for shopping.
But there is plenty of space. Available colours: Montijo red or grey. Only 47 of these were converted in two versions. Welcome to the slower variant, the 72 volt Henney, with 12 x 6V batteries. Speed? Yes something up to 60 kmh. The range was up to 60km.
It recharges in about 8-10 hours. List price was $3995 – almost double of a Dauphine. The whole story now in the latest episode of „Horseless Carriage“ on Youtube – first I’m gonna take you through the collection of classic EVs at the www.ps-speicher.de, and then I take you for a ride in the awesome Henney Kilowatt.
Only Fans is in the making. Literally great content!
A website? So I have to follow you on IG, TikTok, Youtube and here.. please don’t tell me you have…
Absolutely, but when I look at all the Pike-Cars, the Pao remains my abolute favourite :)
The Nissan S-Cargo was also quite a neat design from the 90s. 😊