1911 Stanley Steamer Toy Tonneau

Twins Francis E. Stanley and Freelan O. Stanley founded the Stanley Motor Carriage Company after selling their photographic dry plate business to Eastman Kodak. They made their first car in 1897. By 1906 a Stanley car had set a land speed record of 127 miles per hour. In 1907 at Daytona Beach, a Stanley was clocked at nearly 150 miles per hour before it crashed.

This car is powered by a ten-horsepower two-cylinder double-acting steam engine. Between 1910 and 1912, just 219 Toy Tonneaus were built. They were among the most popular models for Stanley, capable of speeds of 40 miles per hour, and they could be driven for 30 minutes or more before the engine needed water.

In 1912, Cadillac introduced the electric starter for internal combustion engine cars. This quickly led to the demise of the steam cars, which were previously the most popular type of car.