BMW Errand Master
Boulevard Machine Works was a small California company founded by Leslie Perhacs, a Hungarian-born inventor and entrepreneur who immigrated to the United States during the 1920s and settled in Studio City, California. Born in Budapest in 1898, Perhacs established a 12,000-square-foot research and development workshop in nearby North Hollywood, at the corner of Burbank and Vineland Avenues.
The company used the initials BMW, which stood for Boulevard Machine Works rather than the German automaker Bayerische Motoren Werke. Perhacs developed a variety of electric vehicles, including golf carts, boats, motorcycles, amusement park rides and small cars, as well as vehicles specifically designed for people with physical disabilities.
One of his more unusual creations was the BMW Errand Master, a two-seat electric roadster designed to look more like a conventional automobile than the utilitarian electric carts of the period. Its doorless fiberglass body allowed occupants to step in and out easily, making it particularly suitable for people with limited mobility, including disabled veterans and people with paraplegia.
The Errand Master measured 102 inches (2,591 mm) in length and 48 inches (1,219 mm) in width. Its governed top speed was 25 mph (40 km/h). The suspension featured coil springs and shock absorbers, while the exterior was distinguished by two chrome strips and headlights mounted on top of the front fenders.
The fiberglass body was hinged at the rear and could be lifted to expose the batteries, electric motors and built-in battery charger. This arrangement also made maintenance and battery access relatively straightforward. Buyers could choose from a range of body colors, while an optional golf bag holder transformed the little roadster into a stylish electric golf cart.
Boulevard Machine Works advertised the Errand Master as an ideal second family car or an everyday runabout for people with paraplegia. The price ranged from $975 to $1,250, depending on the specification. Perhacs also promoted the efficiency of his electric vehicles, claiming that they could travel up to 75 miles (120 km) on a single charge, although this figure was not specifically attributed to the Errand Master.
