 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |
1917 Stanley Model 735 news, pictures, and information | ||
| Tweet | ||
This was the third year for the 'condensing Stanley' and production totaled nearly 600 vehicles. Minor changes differentiate the first three years of condensing models, which were a radical, almost revolutionary transition from the 'coffin nose' era (1905-1914).
Many new improvements commencing in 1915 included a steel frame, gear-driven pumps, left-hand drive, electric lights including a generator, and very contemporary aesthetic appearance. Condensing the steam increased water mileage. All condensing cars (1915-1926) were 20 HP on a 130-inch wheelbase. Condensing models are generally slower, less nimble, and substantially heavier (4,400 lbs.) than the coffin nose era and, therefore, not as sought after with today's collector.
This roadster is one of only two 1917 survivors and left the factory in Newton, Massachusetts, on December 17th. This vehicle sold new for $1,975 and the original set of wire wheels (five) were an additional $90. The odometer has accumulated over 5,000 miles since restoration in 2000.
Many new improvements commencing in 1915 included a steel frame, gear-driven pumps, left-hand drive, electric lights including a generator, and very contemporary aesthetic appearance. Condensing the steam increased water mileage. All condensing cars (1915-1926) were 20 HP on a 130-inch wheelbase. Condensing models are generally slower, less nimble, and substantially heavier (4,400 lbs.) than the coffin nose era and, therefore, not as sought after with today's collector.
This roadster is one of only two 1917 survivors and left the factory in Newton, Massachusetts, on December 17th. This vehicle sold new for $1,975 and the original set of wire wheels (five) were an additional $90. The odometer has accumulated over 5,000 miles since restoration in 2000.
The Stanely Motor Carriage Company produced steam powered automobiles during the early 1900's. The automobile had just been created and many individuals and companies were experimenting with a wide variety of fuel sources, such as gasoline, electric, and steam. These three sources were the primary sources with each having benefits and limitations. The electric vehicles were limited on their range but they were clean, quiet and easy to start. The steam powered vehicles were also clean and quiet but they required a few minutes before starting to allow steam to form. The gasoline engine was noisy, dirty, and hard to start but showed the most potential. The advent of the electric starter around 1914 meant the demise of the other fuel sources.
Twins Francis Edgar and Freelan O. Stanley were born in 1849. Francis passed away in 1918 and Freelan survived until 1940. Their first glimpse of business ingenuity was shown at an early age when they opened a photographic dry plate business which they eventually sold to Eastman Kodak. They became interested in the horseless carriage and in 1897 had created their first automobile. The eventually sold the rights of their design to Locomobile.
The brothers produced steam powered vehicles from 1902 through 1917, known as the Stanley Steamers. Throughout the years the configuration of the vehicles, the complexity of the engines, and the mechanical components were all greatly improved.
The cars were simple yet complex, and rather ingenious. The frame was constructed of tubular steel and suspended by full-elliptic springs. Wooden bodies were built atop of the frames with a boiler mounted beneath the seat. A petroleum burner, later replaced by kerosene, was placed underneath the vertical fire-tube boiler and generated the steam. Piano-wire was used to reinforce the enclosure. By using piano wire, a low overall weight was maintained while increasing the structural rigidity of the boiler. The vertical fire-tubes were made of copper and later replaced with welded steel. A thick chain was connected from the engine crankshaft to a rear-mounted differential.
The boilers were made safe by incorporating certain safety valves that could be used to release pressure. Even with these safety valves, there was still concern of the boiler shell bursting. The boiler was made up of many joints and in the cases of excessive pressure, these joints would fail and release that pressure, extinguishing the burner, and subside the potential catastrophe.
The name 'coffin bonnet' was coined when the broiler was moved to the front of the vehicle, creating an appearance similar to other cars of the era. By moving it to the front of the vehicle, the noise generated by the boiling steam was slightly subsided for the passengers.
By 1917 the Stanley brothers sold their company to Prescott Warren who continued to build the steam powered car until 1927. The demise of the company was slow but much anticipated. The automobile was rapidly evolving while the Steamer was stagnate. Gasoline was inexpensive and reliable and more importantly, cheap. Steam powered cars sold for around $4000 while the Ford and Chevrolet, to name a few, were producing cars under $1000. Gasoline engines were increasing in size, capacity, and output while the steam cars hovered around 20 horsepower.
One of the most famous Steam powered cars is the Stanley Rocket which captured a land speed record for steam at 127.7 mph at the Daytona Beach Road Course. Driven by Fred Marriott, he easily secured the Dewar International Trophy awarded to the vehicle with the fastest measured mile time, which he accomplished in just 28.5 seconds.
The Stanley Rocket was designed to have limited drag. It was similar in shape to a canoe. It was long and narrow, at 16 feet long and 3 feet wide at its widest point. Most of the components of the car were housed within the body which increased aerodynamics. The 3.1 liter engine was a twin-piston double acting type that was capable of producing a reported 275 or 1000 psi at 700 degrees F. The entire vehicle weighed less than 1680 pounds.
By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2006
Twins Francis Edgar and Freelan O. Stanley were born in 1849. Francis passed away in 1918 and Freelan survived until 1940. Their first glimpse of business ingenuity was shown at an early age when they opened a photographic dry plate business which they eventually sold to Eastman Kodak. They became interested in the horseless carriage and in 1897 had created their first automobile. The eventually sold the rights of their design to Locomobile.
The brothers produced steam powered vehicles from 1902 through 1917, known as the Stanley Steamers. Throughout the years the configuration of the vehicles, the complexity of the engines, and the mechanical components were all greatly improved.
The cars were simple yet complex, and rather ingenious. The frame was constructed of tubular steel and suspended by full-elliptic springs. Wooden bodies were built atop of the frames with a boiler mounted beneath the seat. A petroleum burner, later replaced by kerosene, was placed underneath the vertical fire-tube boiler and generated the steam. Piano-wire was used to reinforce the enclosure. By using piano wire, a low overall weight was maintained while increasing the structural rigidity of the boiler. The vertical fire-tubes were made of copper and later replaced with welded steel. A thick chain was connected from the engine crankshaft to a rear-mounted differential.
The boilers were made safe by incorporating certain safety valves that could be used to release pressure. Even with these safety valves, there was still concern of the boiler shell bursting. The boiler was made up of many joints and in the cases of excessive pressure, these joints would fail and release that pressure, extinguishing the burner, and subside the potential catastrophe.
The name 'coffin bonnet' was coined when the broiler was moved to the front of the vehicle, creating an appearance similar to other cars of the era. By moving it to the front of the vehicle, the noise generated by the boiling steam was slightly subsided for the passengers.
By 1917 the Stanley brothers sold their company to Prescott Warren who continued to build the steam powered car until 1927. The demise of the company was slow but much anticipated. The automobile was rapidly evolving while the Steamer was stagnate. Gasoline was inexpensive and reliable and more importantly, cheap. Steam powered cars sold for around $4000 while the Ford and Chevrolet, to name a few, were producing cars under $1000. Gasoline engines were increasing in size, capacity, and output while the steam cars hovered around 20 horsepower.
One of the most famous Steam powered cars is the Stanley Rocket which captured a land speed record for steam at 127.7 mph at the Daytona Beach Road Course. Driven by Fred Marriott, he easily secured the Dewar International Trophy awarded to the vehicle with the fastest measured mile time, which he accomplished in just 28.5 seconds.
The Stanley Rocket was designed to have limited drag. It was similar in shape to a canoe. It was long and narrow, at 16 feet long and 3 feet wide at its widest point. Most of the components of the car were housed within the body which increased aerodynamics. The 3.1 liter engine was a twin-piston double acting type that was capable of producing a reported 275 or 1000 psi at 700 degrees F. The entire vehicle weighed less than 1680 pounds.
By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2006
| Next Generation European Compact Car From Nissan To Be Manufactured By Renault In Europe | |
 | Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced that the replacement for the current Nissan Micra compact car will be manufactured at a Renault plant in Europe. Due to start production in 2016, the vehicle will be exported across Europe's left-hand drive markets. Under the Nissan Power 88 six-year business plan, the company will launch, on average, one new model every six weeks for the duration of the plan. Consequently, available capacity across the relevant plants in the Nissan manufacturing networ...[Read more...] |
| FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR HISTORICS | |
 | • Stanley Steamer takes centre stage for spring sale Brooklands will provide the backdrop for the ultimate MPV – built long before the category was even invented – when a 1917 20hp Stanley Mountain Wagon crosses the 'block' on Saturday March 9th for Historics' spring sale. Having sold their dry plate photographic business to Eastman Kodak, twin brothers Francis E. Stanley and Freelan O. Stanley decided to set up the Stanley Motor Carriage Company in order to manufacture steam powe...[Read more...] |
| Coys True Greats London Sale | |
 | Coys round off their 2012 auction calendar with their world-famous True Greats sale of important collectors cars, classic film posters and the Keeler Collection of rare models. With some 400 lots coming under the auctioneer's hammer on 4th December, this sale offers a superb choice of entries for any car collector. Among the great entries include two Lamborghini Miuras, a rare Aston Martin DB5 Vantage in left-hand drive, accompanied by its sister models a DB4 and a DB6, and from Germany a be...[Read more...] |
| A Piece of Hollywood and Jaguar History | |
 | Clark Gable's 'Best in Class' 1949 XK120 This weekend, a very special XK120 graced the judging field at the 62nd Pebble Beach Concours d' Elegance. This particular XK120 is significant, not only because it was named 'Best in Class,' but because its first owner was none other than Hollywood icon Clark Gable, a devoted Jaguar enthusiast. Gable's XK120, chassis No. 670003, was judged 'Best in Class' in the 'Postwar Sports Open' category. The car is owned by Mr. Jeff Lotman, of Los Ang...[Read more...] |
| Cherished Classics From The Pettit Collection Will Be Offered Without Reserve | |
 | • The 1929 Duesenberg 'Blue J' and 11 collector cars from the William A. C. Pettit, III Collection will be sold at Gooding & Company's Pebble Beach Auctions • Estate Proceeds will benefit the Shriners Hospital for Children®-Tampa Gooding & Company, the acclaimed auction house celebrated for selling the world's most significant and valuable collector cars, is honored to present the finest automobiles of the William A.C. Pettit, III Collection at its Pebble Beach Auctions on Aug...[Read more...] |
 1917
Stanley
models |
| Stanley Steamer 728 |
| Similar Automakers | |
| Baker | Doble |
| Similarly Priced Vehicles from 1917 |
| Stanley Steamer 728 ($1,975-$1,975) |
| Peerless Model 56 ($1,980-$2,840) |
| Stanley: 1911-1920 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Stanley History |
| Other models by Stanley |
| Related Articles and Event Coverage |
| 2006 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance |
| EX Steamer Model F |
© 1998-2012. All rights reserved. The material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
