1911 Stanley Steamer pictures and wallpaper

1911 Stanley Steamer news, pictures, and information

This display vehicle is a 1911 30HP two-passenger roadster one-off prototype that is approximately 80% restored. The body is all wood and it is widely believed that this vehicle was made to develop the aluminum bodied roadsters that commenced being built shortly after this car was completed.

F. E. Stanley's son Raymond was very interested in automobile design and this car bares his influence. Ray was only 16 when this 30 HP Special, #6052, was made. It is as described in the original serial book that has survived. Ray went on to Harvard and majored in design. Years later, Ray revealed this was his 2nd car and the first one he had a hand in designing. He also said he raced Abner Doble on Commonwealth Avenue (one of the few paved roads in Boston at the time) but he always beat me!

This car was delivered out of the Stanley family April 25, 1912, when Raymond's third car was ready. Part of his design wishes were accomplished by drop mounting the springs outboard of the wood frame instead of underneath it. The effect on this vehicle results in an appearance that is very unimposing which 30 HP Stanley's tended to be as they were usually large, expensive cars, especially compared to the more common smaller 10-20 HP models that made up well over 90% of total production during the coffin-nose era from 1905 through 1914.

Model 63 Toy Tonneau
Chassis Num: 6069

Identical twin brothers Francis Edgar and Freeland Oscar Stanley of Maine (and later Massachusetts) made their living manufacturing photographic dry plates. In 1896, they began experimenting with steam-powered automobiles. After initial success, they established a plant in Watertown, Massachusetts. A few years later, in 1899, they sold their steam car business resulting in the Locomobile and the Mobile steamers.

In 1901, the brothers began another steam-powered car business. The cars would have a horizontal, twin-cylinder, rear-mounted engine driving the rear axle through simple spur gears. The cylinder boiler was moved from under the seat to the front of the car in 1905. The cover for the boiler would become known as the 'Coffin-Nose', for its semi-circle front design.

In 1906, the fame of the Steamer was brought to new levels when a car driven by Fred Marriot at Ormond Beach reach an incredible speed of 127.66 mph and capturing the land speed record.

This example of the Stanley Steamer is a Model 63 which originally retailed for $1,125. It has a four-seater Toy Tonneau coachwork which was built by the Stanleys themselves. It has an 18-inch boiler and double-acting, twin-cylinder engine giving it 10 horsepower.

It is believed that this vehicle spent most of its early life in the New England area. It was later owned by the well-known collector Cameron Bradley, and then Austin 'Austie' Clark Jr. where it was shown in his Long Island Auto Museum. The current owner purchased the car at the Austin Clark Museum auction in September of 1972.

In 2005 the car was treated to a complete nut-and-bolt restoration. The chassis and body had warped over the years so replicated coachwork was created and attached to the original hardware.

In 2008 this car was brought to the 2nd Annual Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $175,000 - $225,000. Those estimates were proven accurate as a high bid of $184,250, including buyer's premium, was enough to secure new ownership. The lot was sold.

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Stanley: 1911-1920

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