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1908 White Model L news, pictures, and information | ||
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In the early days of automobile production, there were three main power sources to drive the vehicle: gasoline, electricity, and steam. All three had 'pros' and 'cons', with gasoline eventually becoming the more popular around 1914. During the late 1890's and early 1900s, it was unclear which would have become the dominate source. Gasoline was smelly, noisy, and was difficult to start, though it was the most powerful. Electricity was the popular choice for city driving, especially with doctors and ladies. It was quiet and clean but it had limited distance that it could travel and replenishing its power took time. Steam was quiet and clean but it had its draw-backs. The vehicles produced a lot of heat, and it took a while to produce the steam. This meant that the driver often had to wait 30 minutes or more for the vehicle to be ready to drive.
Water was inserted into a boiler and then heated from either gasoline or kerosene. The steam was then sent to the cylinders causing pressure which drove the pistons. The steam was condensed, changing the steam back into a liquid form. The water was then reused.
Rollin White of the White Sewing Machine Company in Cleveland was a strong believer in the future of steam powered automobiles. He created an engine that was easy to operate and durable. In 1899 he patented his 'semi-flash boiler' which provided safety features which were revolutionary at the time. Boilers were often prone to explosion, but with Rollin's design, these problems were virtually non-existent. Other steamers heated the water in the upper coils but Rollins allowed the water to be heated in the lower coils. This meant that the generator was able to produce steam quicker and safer.
By mid-1900, four White steam cars had been created, with a truck following a year later. The steam powered White cars proved to be very popular, and for 1901, a total of 193 units had been built.
White, like many manufacturers of the time, did all they could to promote their cars durability and capability. One of the best means was by entering the car endurance runs. White entered four Whites in the 1901 New York to Buffalo Enduran Run. Each were awarded a first-class certificate.
The early White automobiles had tiller-steering, chain-drive, wire-wheels, and Stanhope bodies. The two-cylinder engine was mounted under the floor, giving them a 'buggy' appearance. This style would continue for a few years, until 1903, when the engine was moved to the front and fitted under a hood known as the 'White curve'. This style would stay with the White cars until the company's end.
In 1902, a condenser was added to recycle exhaust steam. A White, nicknamed the Whistling Billy, was driven by Webb Jay to a world's mile record of 73.75 mph at Morris Park Track in July of 1903. This accomplishment did much for the credibility of the White vehicles.
For 1903, there were 502 White cars produced. For 1905, production rose to 1015 units. The following year, 1534 examples were made. This would be White's best year and would be nearly double the amount of vehicles produced by their next closest Steam competitor, Stanley.
Production of the White Steamers would continue until January of 1911. The following year, a 60 horsepower, six-cylinder gasoline car was added to the lineup of four-cylinder gasoline White cars. White had begun gasoline production in 1910 with shaft drive and a four-speed transmission fitted as standard equipment.
Near the close of the 1910s, the White Company would cease production of passenger's cars. By this point in history, Rollin White had left to form the Rollin car. The White Company was reorganized as the White Motor Company in 1915 with Windsor White remaining as the company's president. Walter White was now the vice-president. While passenger car production ended, the company focused its efforts on commercial vehicles.
By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2009
Water was inserted into a boiler and then heated from either gasoline or kerosene. The steam was then sent to the cylinders causing pressure which drove the pistons. The steam was condensed, changing the steam back into a liquid form. The water was then reused.
Rollin White of the White Sewing Machine Company in Cleveland was a strong believer in the future of steam powered automobiles. He created an engine that was easy to operate and durable. In 1899 he patented his 'semi-flash boiler' which provided safety features which were revolutionary at the time. Boilers were often prone to explosion, but with Rollin's design, these problems were virtually non-existent. Other steamers heated the water in the upper coils but Rollins allowed the water to be heated in the lower coils. This meant that the generator was able to produce steam quicker and safer.
By mid-1900, four White steam cars had been created, with a truck following a year later. The steam powered White cars proved to be very popular, and for 1901, a total of 193 units had been built.
White, like many manufacturers of the time, did all they could to promote their cars durability and capability. One of the best means was by entering the car endurance runs. White entered four Whites in the 1901 New York to Buffalo Enduran Run. Each were awarded a first-class certificate.
The early White automobiles had tiller-steering, chain-drive, wire-wheels, and Stanhope bodies. The two-cylinder engine was mounted under the floor, giving them a 'buggy' appearance. This style would continue for a few years, until 1903, when the engine was moved to the front and fitted under a hood known as the 'White curve'. This style would stay with the White cars until the company's end.
In 1902, a condenser was added to recycle exhaust steam. A White, nicknamed the Whistling Billy, was driven by Webb Jay to a world's mile record of 73.75 mph at Morris Park Track in July of 1903. This accomplishment did much for the credibility of the White vehicles.
For 1903, there were 502 White cars produced. For 1905, production rose to 1015 units. The following year, 1534 examples were made. This would be White's best year and would be nearly double the amount of vehicles produced by their next closest Steam competitor, Stanley.
Production of the White Steamers would continue until January of 1911. The following year, a 60 horsepower, six-cylinder gasoline car was added to the lineup of four-cylinder gasoline White cars. White had begun gasoline production in 1910 with shaft drive and a four-speed transmission fitted as standard equipment.
Near the close of the 1910s, the White Company would cease production of passenger's cars. By this point in history, Rollin White had left to form the Rollin car. The White Company was reorganized as the White Motor Company in 1915 with Windsor White remaining as the company's president. Walter White was now the vice-president. While passenger car production ended, the company focused its efforts on commercial vehicles.
By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2009
 |  |  | Touring Car Chassis Num: L440 |
| Sold for $220,000 at 2008 Gooding & Company. | |||
In 1914, this Model L was traded to a Ford dealer in Texas and remained in the back of the dealership for many years. It was purchased by collector Barney Pollard who kept it at the dealership for many more years. The car was purchased in the early 1980s from Pollards estate by collector Weed Underwood. While in Underwood's care, the car was treated to a complete restoration. It was sold in 1995 to Carl J. Schmitt who used it frequently, including in the annual MODOC Tour in the Pacific Northwest.
The Model L is painted in its original color scheme of red and black and has black leather upholstery.
In 2008, this Model L Touring car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company Auction held in Pebble Beach, California. It was estimated to sell for $80,000 - $130,000 and offered without reserve. The lot was sold for $220,000, including buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2009
| 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...] |
| Magnificent Series of Coachbuilt Classics To Grace RM's Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance Sale | |
 | • RM Auctions returns as the official auction house of the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, March 9, 2013 • Single-day sale features breathtaking roster of more than 80 investment-quality collector cars • Notable highlights include an outstanding series of coachbuilt classics headlined by a multi-million-dollar 1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Walker-LaGrande Convertible Coupe and a trio of Cords from the personal collection of Jim Fasnacht • Frequently updated list of entries available online at r...[Read more...] |
| Breaking news from Coys | |
 | 1966 AC Shelby Cobra - Now selling at No Reserve! Coys are pleased to announce that a 1966 AC Shelby Cobra will now be selling at No Reserve later today at the Autosport International show at the NEC in Birmingham. Featured on the front cover of Classic & Sportscar magazine in September 2012, this Cobra is beautifully presented in Rangoon Red paintwork with black leather upholstery and hood and tan tonneau and sidescreens, and the car still displays a delightful patina. The 427ci b...[Read more...] |
| Lost Mercedes - Surfaces At Bonhams | |
 | One owner, unrestored, supercharged 'S' Type Mercedes to be sold by Bonhams at Goodwood Revival this autumn One of the greatest and most important motor car finds of the last decade, the 'Lost Mercedes' is to be offered at Bonhams Goodwood Revival sale on Saturday 15th September 2012. Bonhams announced today that it has been commissioned to sell a recently discovered 1928 Mercedes-Benz 26/120/180 'S' Type Sports Tourer which almost without precedent for motor cars of this type and d...[Read more...] |
| Similarly Priced Vehicles from 1908 |
| Baker Electric ($1,200-$4,000) |
| Ford Model K ($2,800-$2,800) |
| Locomobile Model 40 Type I ($2,600-$4,750) |
| Franklin Model G ($1,750-$2,500) |
| Baker Model M ($2,500-$2,500) |
Average Auction Sale: $220,000 |
| White: 1901-1910 |
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