1899 Locomobile Stanhope Style I Runabout

Locomobile built 337 steam runabouts in 1899. The 927cc twin-cylinder double-acting steam engine delivered 3.5 horsepower and had a single-chain drive and a differential brake. It wears an older restoration which still shows well in modern times.

The editor and publisher of Cosmopolitan magazine, John B. Walker, purchased the plans for a steam runabout from Francis and Freelan Stanley for $250,000. He then sold half interest to asphalt contractor Amzi Barber for the same amount. The name Locomobile was chosen as it combined locomotive and automobile. Locomobile set up shop in the Stanley's Watertown, Massachusetts factory. Unfortunately, the union between Walker and Barber lasted just two weeks. Barber kept the Watertown premises and Walker went to Tarrytown, New York, to build the same car as the Mobile.

In 1900, Barber moved to Bridgeport, Connecticut, and hired the Stanley brothers as managers. Within just two years of time, they had built 4,000 two-cylinder runabouts.

In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the Amelia Island sale presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $50,000 - $70,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car was sold for the sum of $63,250, including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2011