1908 Stanley Model EX

The Stanley Steamers had a well-earned reputation for performance, high-tech design, and engineering prowess. It famously set the land speed record at Ormond Beach, Florida, in 1906 and was among the best-known and most common steamers of their era. They came from the Massachusetts workshops of former photographic equipment makers F.E. and F.O. Stanley (twin brothers). The early examples were buggy-like, with the boiler and valve controls located under the seats. Eventually, the Stanley's assumed a more conventional appearance, having the boiler and motor under a boxy, coffin-like nose and the drive taken to the rear wheels.

The Stanley brothers produced a wide range of steam-powered automobiles between 1896 and 1924, and only the Columbia Automobile Company's high-quality electrics outsold them from 1899 to 1905. The early Stanleys were powered by a double-acting two-cylinder engine and benefitted from the use of a fire-tube boiler reinforced with piano wire and fitted with a safety valve. Early Stanley models did not employ any sort of recovery system, which meant vented steam was lost to the atmosphere. This issue was resolved after 1914 with a fairly efficient condenser system, which greatly increased traveling distance without refueling (with water).

The early 10-horsepower models were soon joined by the scaled-up 20hp Model F in 1905. The wheelbase grew slightly in 1906 to 100 inches allowing for more coachwork capacity and an enlarged boiler of 23 inches. The Model F proved popular and remained in production through to 1908 and was the basis for successive 20hp cars. The Model F was the fastest stock touring car in the world, as it won the honor at Ormond Beach alongside the Stanley Land Speed Racer.

The Stanley Model EX was a four-passenger car, with the rear seats being unique to the Stanley lineup. The rear seat rested on sliders so it could be moved rearward to allow additional room for passengers. When not in use, it could be slid forward to allow for additional storage capacity.

Wood was used for the main frame rails and the body, helping the Model EX achieve a low weight of about 450 pounds, giving it a top speed of approximately 60 mph.

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2020