1912 White Model Thirty

Touring

Thomas White, known for the White Sewing Machines that were built under his name, purchased a Locomobile Steamer for use and determined the steam boiler was very unreliable. His son, Rollin, set out to improve the boiler. After some success in improving the boiler, Rollin and his brothers convinced their father to use a part of the sewing machine plant to start producing Steam Generated cars, this was in late 1900.

White proved very successful in building and marketing White Steam cars thru 1910 when the internal combustion 'gas car' engine emerged in the market. In 1911 they started to produce gas cars using both 4- and 6-cylinder engines.

White Company built over 8,000 cars from 1900 to 1913, while most were steam before 1900, most survivors are gas cars.

This 'gas car' example is a 1912 White with a 4-cylinder engine with 30 horsepower. It is one of the last right-hand cars built by White. It has a four-speed transmission to move it along at 35 to 40 mph. 1912 was the first year for an Electrical System, the 18-volt starter-generator is almost as big as the engine.

The Cleveland-based White factory developed into a premier manufacturer of luxury steam automobiles. It used an existing network of White Sewing Machine distributors to sell its vehicles both domestically and internationally.

White turned out 719 steam-powered model Ds and one, outlined with electric lights, was suspended from the ceiling at the Cleveland Automobile Show in 1904. White gave out white carnations and hat pins shaped like the little 1904 White Model D to all female visitors to the show.

Eventually, White shifted over to gasoline-powered automobiles, as gas won the 'war' of popularity against both steam-powered and electric-powered cars. White then shifted to produce only trucks after World War I. After becoming one of America's biggest truckmakers, White went bankrupt in 1980.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: 17143

Before the turn of the 20th Century, Thomas White of Cleveland acquired a Locomobile steamer. Unhappy with the quality and reliability, he turned to his son, Rollin - a Cornell engineer - to perfect the water tube steam generator which resolved most basic problems with the Locomobile. A patent for this new design soon followed. Rollin and his brother Windsor began making White steamers. The White automobiles built a reputation and even impressed William Howard Taft, who selected a White as the first official automobile of the U.S. President.

The White automobiles sold well until steam power later displaced the popularity of the internal combustion engine. After research, White licensed the design of a Delahaye engine and built a 'gas car' in 1909. 1912 was the first year without any steam design and internal combustion remained the sold powerplant.

The Model 30 was available in two wheelbase lengths, a 110-inch for the touring and Roadster, and a 120-inch for formal Limousine and Landaulet versions.

Leo Bongers amassed a collection of over 100 cars, a dozen motorcycles, and automobilia. Upon his death, there was a dispersal sale. This Model 30 was purchased by Frank Spain. The car remains in its original, unrestored condition. Considering its age, it is in very nice condition and has been well cared for and preserved. The engine is a 226.4 cubic-inch four-cylinder engine fitted with a single carburetor. There is a four-speed manual transmission, leaf spring suspension, and 2-wheel brakes.

by Dan Vaughan