1914 White Model Thirty Touring Car

The White Company, under the direction of Rollin H. White, built their first steam-powered car in 1900. The following year, 193 examples were built and sold. Innovation and modernization continued throughout the years, with the buggy-styled body being replaced by a front-mounted compound engine design in 1903. The design featured wheel steering, shaft drive, and an armored wood frame. Some of their cars were given 2-speed rear axles and by 1909, some were produced as much as 40 horsepower. During the Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft presidential era, White's were the official White House cars.

The White steam cars were catalogued until 1911, after which their entire production was changed to internal combustion engines beginning in 1910. Their engines had four cylinders in an L-head monoblock design with the cylinders cast in pairs. They were mated to a four-speed gearbox with an overdrive top ratio.

A few years later, in 1912, a six-cylinder engine was added to the line-up and continued through 1916. The following year the four-cylinder engines had four valves per cylinder. At this point in history, trucks were more popular than automobiles for the White Company. After 1918, White automobiles could be ordered by special order only.

In 2007 this 1914 White Model 30 Touring Car was brought to the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, California where it was estimated to sell for $75,000 - $95,000 and offered without reserve. Bidding failed to reach the estimates, but since there was no reserve, the lot was sold. It sold for $57,200 including the buyer's premium.

This car has a very innovative piece of technology that was very convenient during its day. It has an 18-volt starter/generator that serves as a self-starter and then automatically converts to a generator to recharge the batteries when the speed of the engine increases.

The car can cruise comfortably at speed of 50 mph. If a flat tire occurs or if they need more air, there is a gearbox-driven compressor used to inflate tires on the road. An exhaust whistle signals the car's approach. There are removable front and rear side curtains adding to the versatility of the vehicle.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2008