1908 Stanley Steamer Model K

Francis E. and Freeland O. Stanley were identical twins from Kingfield, Maine, whose Stanley Dry Plate Company made a small fortune in producing photographic equipment. The brothers also designed steam cars, experimenting with a solitary prototype in 1887, and returning to the project in 1897. A year later, they had completed three more prototypes, one of which successfully scaled an 80-foot incline in Charles River Park, Boston, that had defeated its rivals. The spectacular demonstration resulted in orders for 200 cars, prompting the Stanley brothers to commence production. A few vehicles were constructed before the business was sold to outside investors. Within a few years, they repurchased the company at a fraction of the sales price and began production of a completely new model.

The automotive press announced new models in January 1902, departing with previous designs and technology and embracing a larger 70-inch wheelbase. The previous transverse front spring was replaced by full-elliptic springs, oriented longitudinally, on all four corners. There was a front seat, which allowed carrying two more passengers, their feet resting on a toe-board that doubled as a toolbox cover when closed.

The Stanley automobiles relied on a double-acting two-cylinder engine with a fire-tube boiler that was reinforced with piano wire and fitted with a safety valve. The early Stanley vehicles did not incorporate any sort of recovery system, so vented steam was lost to the atmosphere. After 1914, that issue was resolved with a fairly efficient condenser system, resulting in greater distances traveled between water refills.

The early Stanley automobiles had buggy-like designs, with the boiler and valve controls located under the seat. Later models embraced more conventional designs, with the boiler and motor relocated under a boxy, coffin-like nose and the drive taken to the rear wheels.

The Stanley Model K had a 108-inch wheelbase, a fuel capacity of 13 gallons, and a water capacity of 26 gallons. The boiler had a 26-inch diameter and a height of 16 inches, with a 4.5-inch bore and a 6.5-inch stroke. A 1908 Stanley Steamer two-passenger Model K Semi-Racer had a base price of approximately $1,800.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2023