AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC

Automatic Transportation Co. (1921-1922)
Buffalo, New York

This is an Automatic Electric Emblem (1921)   btpam
Size: 60mm wide 40mm high    MM: Unknown

The Automatic Electric built in Buffalo, New York was a small but very well made two-seater runabout, which measured just 95 inches overall and could be parked in a four-by-eight-foot space. It had a top speed of 18 mph and a range of up to 60 miles was promised between charges. However, the sale price of $1200 was too high for the market and few Automatic Electric vehicles were sold.

The Automatic Electric was advertised widely in the summer of 1921, including photographs of a group of about a dozen Automatic Electric passenger cars at what appears to be a publicity event. I can find no Automatic Electric advertisements after 1921, although the Automatic Electric did sell into the 1922 model year.

Automatic Electric also built a small 1/4-ton delivery truck with an overall length of 102 inches.

It is reported that the Automatic Transportation Company was acquired by the Walker Vehicle Company in 1922. 

Emblem

Original period photos of the Automatic Electric include a model that does not carry an emblem, see below:

Automatic Electric with large central headlight but no emblem (1921)
Buffalo Transportation Pierce Arrow Museum (btpam)

However, other original period photos seen in advertisements from 1921 clearly show an emblem on the false radiator, see example below:

Automatic Electric showing radiator emblem (1921)
The Buffalo News

The emblem is more clearly seen on the following original period photo of the same car:

Automatic Electric (1921)    dpl

A few surviving Automatic Electric passenger cars also carry an emblem, see example below displayed at the Buffalo Transportation Pierce Arrow Museum:

Automatic Electric with emblem (1922)  btpam

This emblem is the blue and white enamel Automatic Electric emblem shown above at the top of this post and again below. This Automatic Electric emblem is extremely rare.

This is an Automatic Electric emblem (1921-1922)   btpam
Size: 60mm wide 40mm high    MM: Unknown

It is very likely that the same emblem was used on the 1/4-ton Automatic Electric Delivery Truck shown below but I cannot confirm this:

Automatic Electric Delivery Truck (1921)    dpl