1909 Stanley Steamer Model R Roadster

This car is one of eight Stanley Model Rs left in the world. Properly called the Stanley Steam Car (the Stanley brothers hated the name Stanley Steamer), the Model R Gentleman's Speedster was one of five models listed in the 1909 Stanley catalog. It sold for around $1,500 with or without an optional convertible top. Its two-horsepower, twin-cylinder engine is simplicity itself, with only a dozen or so moving parts. It will cruise at 50 mph and climb steep hills with ease. Steam-powered cars were simple to drive with no changing gears and impossible to stall, but the biggest disadvantage was the starting process which could take 30 minutes and involved a blowtorch rather than a key. This Stanley has been cared for in the current owner's collection for 16 years and is used often.