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1909 Stanley Steamer Model R news, pictures, and information | ||
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 |  |  | Roadster |
Capitalizing on their racing fame, Stanley steam cars enjoyed modest sales. While many early Stanley models were racers and roadsters, later models also included touring cars and a truck/bus, the Mountain Wagon. The Stanley brothers were known to 'tinker' wîth their cars in the factory, leading to the notion that no two Stanleys were exactly alike. The brothers famously resisted change to their vehicles, which restricted the car's ability to compete in the market. The Stanley's limited availability also limited its popularity. Fewer than 1,000 Stanleys were made each year, yielding a total of around 12,000 vehicles when production ceased in 1924.
While Stanleys and other steam cars were destined to fade from the automotive scene, they have never faded from popular memory. As early as the 1930s, the Stanley was adopted as a symbol of turn-of-the-century life and representative of the early automotive era. The 'Steamer' has been referenced and romanticized in film, literature, and song, and remains a nostalgic icon today.
The Model R roadster is a smart high-powered car, for two to four people. The price of $1350 includes a choice of rear seats-a single rumble; a double rumble: a duplicate of the front divided seats: or a full undivided two passenger seat. Without a rear seat the car has a neat plain artillery box.This roadster is on the same 20 horsepower plant as the model T touring car. It is quite the same car except as to the body and tires. The tires are 36x3-1/2 inches all around.
The speed of this car is all that anyone can require in a road car. It is for those who wish to hit a speed of 60 to 70 miles an hour on a good road, and still be able to run through city streets without danger of overheating or 'stalling.'
There is no changing of gears, speeds from a creeping pace to a mile a minute or more can be had by simply opening or closing the throttle that's sub-imposed on the §teering wheel.
The Model R is a valuable also to those who live in hilly districts (as Pittsburgh) and find that the average gasoline car at twice or three times the price will falter on the hills and fail in the times where a little reserve is needed.Source - Frick Car Museum
 |  |  | Roadster Chassis Num: 5003 |
| Sold for $104,500 at 2010 Gooding & Company. | |||
This car is one of only eight factory-produced Model R Stanley's known to survive. It has double buckets and a 'mother-in-law' seats in the rear. In the 1970s, the car was restored by Tom Marshall. It is believed that during that time, a larger condensing boiler and motor were fitted tot he car. Ownership later passed from Mr. Marshall to Brent Campbell and, more recently, Edwin 'Ted' Jameson. In 2005, the car was purchased by the present owner.
In 2010, this Model R 20 Horsepower Roadster was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company Auction held in Scottsdale, Arizona. The lot was estimated to sell for $125,000 - $175,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the lot was sold for the sum of $104,500, including buyer's reserve.
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The 1909 Stanley Steamer Model R was powered by a 2-cylider steam engine that produced 20 horsepower. It had a roadster body-style and a wheelbase that measured 112-inches. It was joined by three other models in the Stanley line-up for 1909, which included the Model E2 Runabout, the Model M Touring car, and the Model Z Mountain Wagon. The Model E2 had a 10 horsepower engine and a 110-inch wheelbase platform. The Model M rested on a 114-inch wheelbase and was powered by a 30 horsepower engine. The Model Z also had a 30-horsepower engine but a larger, 118-inch wheelbase.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2009
By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 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...] |
 1909
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