The Nic-L-Silver’s Pioneer EV was unveiled in 1959 at the Los Angeles County Fair.  This sweet little convertible was made by the founder/president, George Lippincott, of the California-based Nic-L-Silver Battery Company; which supplied American car batteries in the ‘50s.

George was inspired to create his own fiberglass electric sports car- and used Nic-L-Silver’s battery (of course). 

The Pioneer is literally based on the Victress. Victress styled the body and fiberglassed their parts together for the Pioneer.

This impressive Prototype consisted of:

*12 4-volt series-wired batteries specially designed by Nic-L-Silver.

*Two electric motors

*Top speed: 50mph with fast acceleration.

*Range: from 100 to 150 miles

*Charging: 8 hours in a 110 Volt outlet. 

*Removable hard top

*It was scheduled to cost just under $2K.

It was actually Car & Driver’s first EV review.  It was published in Sports Cars Illustrated in Jan 1960.  

Sadly, the vehicles never made it to production. Once the prototype left Victress- it was reportedly never seen again. 

Go electric ✌🏼

📸 Cred: From the January 1960 issue of Sports Cars Illustrated