Founded in Hartford, Connecticut in 1899 by Brevet lieutenant-colonel Albert Augustus Pope of the Pope Manufacturing Company, Columbia was essentially the Rolls-Royce of the electric car world, manufacturing some of the grandest and most elegant electric-powered cars in the industry; even Queen Alexandra of Denmark’s daughter-in-law had one. Also at one point, during the company’s lifetime, a Columbia was the best selling car in the United States, selling over an exceedence of 1000 units, making it also the first car to achieve that feat. The company’s life was short however, as the company ceased manufacturing in 1910.
The founder, Colonel Albert Augustus Pope.
Hartford, Connecticut. Where Columbia was founded in 1899.
One of the company’s most famous products, the MkXXXV (35) Landaulet, built in 1899, and powered by dual direct-drive Edison DC (dual currant) electric motors. The only surviving example (seen here) was sold by RM Auctions in Monterey for a staggering $550,000.
A 1901 Victoria Phaeton. Formerly owned by Alexandra of Denmark’s daughter-in-law.
A 1903 Electric Runabout. These were among the best selling cars in the United States in the 1900s, as well as being the first car in the industry to exceed sales in the 1000 mark.
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