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1913 White Model Thirty

In the early days of automobile production, there were three main power sources to drive the vehicle: gasoline, electricity, and steam. All three had 'pros' and 'cons', with gasoline eventually becoming more popular around 1914. During the late 1890s and early 1900s, it was unclear which would have become the dominant source. Gasoline was smelly, noisy, and difficult to start, though it was the most powerful. Electricity was the popular choice for city driving, especially with doctors and ladies. It was quiet and clean but it had a limited distance that it could travel and replenishing its power took time. Steam was quiet and clean but it had its drawbacks. The vehicles produced a lot of heat, and it took a while to produce steam. This meant that the driver often had to wait 30 minutes or more for the vehicle to be ready to drive.

Water was inserted into a boiler and then heated from either gasoline or kerosene. The steam was then sent to the cylinders causing pressure that drove the pistons. The steam was condensed, changing steam back into a liquid form. The water was then reused.

Rollin White of the White Sewing Machine Company in Cleveland was a strong believer in the future of steam-powered automobiles. He created an engine that was easy to operate and durable. In 1899 he patented his 'semi-flash boiler' which provided safety features that were revolutionary at the time. Boilers were often prone to explosion, but with Rollin's design, these problems were virtually non-existent. Other steamers heated the water in the upper coils but Rollins allowed the water to be heated in the lower coils. This meant that the generator was able to produce steam more quicker and safer.

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.

By 1906 the sewing machine company and automaking department had become separate, with Rollin and Windsor White in charge of the automobile production. A few years later, in 1910, the White Company began producing gasoline-powered cars. Their business was 50 percent steam and 50 percent gasoline production. The following year would be the final year of steamer production and by 1912 the White Company was only producing gasoline-powered vehicles. During its eleven years of producing steam-powered vehicles, 9,122 examples were produced.

In 1912 the controls of the White automobile shifted from the right-hand side to the left. Much experimentation followed with the gasoline engine. By 1912 the company was using a variety of four and six-cylinder engines to power its machines. The majority of the vehicles used the four-cylinder with a total of 432 examples being powered by the sixes.

In 19114 Thomas White passed away; that same year Rollin severed his ties with the company. Windsor White became president and Walter White was elected as vice president. After this reorganization, the company officially became known as the White Motor Company in 1915.

Leon Rubay was hired in 1915 to head the Pleasure Vehicle Department. Rubay was a prominent auto body manufacturer who had a profound effect on the White vehicles creating superior styling and bodywork for the White passenger cars. Rubay stayed with the company for only a year but his influences were profound. After Rubay's departure, he created his own manufacturing company which White continued to use to body their most luxurious automobiles.

The trucks that were built by White were used during World War One. Prior to the Russian Revolution, the Czarist purchased a fleet of White trucks, which came to be known as 'the White Squadron'. After 1918 White abandoned car production and focused solely on trucks. The company had produced 8,927 examples of gasoline-powered cars. The company continued to produce trucks becoming one of the largest producers in America. In 1980 they went bankrupt and were later absorbed into Volvo/GMC, later Volvo North America.

by Dan Vaughan

Touring

This was the first year for a self-starter for the White automobile- which was big news for 1913. This was also a transitional year for the company, as it switched from kerosene-fueled lamps to electric lighting.

This is an original, unmolested automobile. Only its top and tires have been replaced. It was stored in a parking garage prior to World War Two. It spent its entire life in California until acquired by its current owner.

It has its rare, original radiator mascot - Athena, the Greek goddess of strength and wisdom. White's advertising in 1913 featured Greek gods and goddesses who discussed changing their ancient form of transportation for the White motor car.

White built automobiles from 1900 until 1918 when the company shifted production solely to trucks.

Roadster

In October 1900, Thomas White and his two sons set up the White Motor Company to build their patented steam cars. The cars were very successful, and their business grew, but by 1906 gas-powered cars were growing in popularity. The Whites obtained a license to build a Delahaye engine in their own name, and the first of these was shown in London in 1908.

This 4-cylinder L-head-engined Model 30 from 1912 is possibly the sole surviving Model 30 in completely original condition. The car was beautifully maintained by two different families - the Schlentz and Bongers families of David City, Nebraska - over eight decades, from 1912 until it was sold to the Tupelo Museum in Mississippi in 1992. The car then remained in the museum untouched until it was sold to its current owner in 2018. Over the last three years, the paintwork, upholstery, and brightwork have been carefully cleaned and conserved while mechanically the car has been put back into a fully operational condition.