1907 Stanley Steamer

The story of the ingenious identical twins, Francis Edgar (F.E.) and Freelan O. (F.O.) Stanley from Kingfield, Maine, includes a small fortune in photographic plates, which allowed them to apply their talents to automobiles in 1896. They were confirmed sportsmen, and many of their vehicle designs reflected this passion, going so far as to capture the land speed record of 126.6 mph with a custom-designed steam racing car at Ormond Beach, Florida, in 1906. Their road-going vehicles followed a similar vein, with a 20-horsepower Model H Gentleman's Speedy Roadster in 1906, a model with a 25-horsepower boiler in 1907, and a 30-horsepower version in 1908.

The Locomobile
After the Stanley brothers had built a few vehicles in their dry plate factory at Newton, Massachusetts, they were invited in November 1898 to compete in a 'motor carriage contest' at Charles River Park, a bicycle racing track, in nearby Cambridge. Twelve other vehicles (steam, gasoline and electric) were entered in the competition, but it was the Stanleys' car that won the hill-climbing competition, and circling the oval track it covered a mile in two minutes, 11 seconds, by the Stanleys' account setting a world record. Reportedly, within two weeks, they had received orders for 200 cars and decided to officially enter automobile production. The success and popularity soon reached the ears of outside investors eager to enter the burgeoning horseless carriage industry. 'I am John Brisben Walker,' said the investor, 'and I have come to buy a half interest in your automobile business.' Not wishing to sell, the Stanleys quoted Mr. Walker a price they though was astronomical: $250,000 for the entire business. Surprisingly, Mr. Walker (the publisher of The Cosmopolitan magazine) accepted the deal, albeit he had yet to raise the money. With the backing of Amzi Lorenzo Barber, 'The Asphalt King' who had made millions paving the nation's cities, Walker took over the Stanleys' business. The Stanleys remained with the company, acting as 'general managers.' The Stanley car became the Locomobile and, for a brief period of time, was the best-selling car in America. As often happens, disagreements and quarreling soon drove a wedge between Mr. Walker and Mr. Barber, fracturing the company. Walker continued with Locomobile, and Barber formed Mobile. The latter was out of business by 1903 and Locomobile by that time making petrol-engined cars.

The Stanleys learned they disliked working for others, and by September 1899, they had retreated to the Maine woods, waiting out the one-year period during which they had agreed to refrain from the manufacture of steam cars.

The Stanley Motorcar : Part Two

The Stanley Motor Carriage Company was formed in 1902 and would remain in business through 1924. The company headquarters were located on Maple Street in Watertown, MA. Their company would dominate the market and continue to do so until steamer production ceased.

The new Stanley automobile was very different from the Locomobile, abandoning its transverse front springs in favor of full-elliptic springs, oriented longitudinally on all four corners. The wheelbase was larger at 70 inches and power was from a non-condensing engine driving the rear axle directly, with a rear-mounted boiler. A front seat allowed for carrying two more passengers. The toe-board served dual purposes, both for resting feet and as a toolbox cover when closed. Styling was attractive and modern with a double curve, a feature that was further streamlined in 1903. By 1906, the coffin-like nose design had evolved, and the previous tiller steering had been replaced by wheel steering.

The 1907 Stanley
The 1907 Stanley automobile catered to a variety of uses, with wheelbase sizes that ranged from 78- to 100-inches, with body styles that could accommodate two or four passengers. The Model CX was the shortest, measuring 78-inches, and was equipped with a two-cylinder, ten horsepower boiler and was known as the 'Doctober's Runabout.' The Model EX was a 2/4-passenger roadster with a 90-inch wheelbase and that same 10-horsepower boiler. The Model J, H, and F all used a 2-cylinder, 20 horsepower boiler and a 100-inch wheelbase. The Model F was a five-passenger tourer priced at $1,500, the Model J was a limousine listed at $2,500, and the Model H was a 2-passenger Fishtail Runabout retailing for $1,200. The Model K was described as a Semi-Racer and priced at $1,800. Its two-cylinder boiler produced an impressive 25 horsepower.

The Model K Semi-Racer was produced through 1910 with a total of 26 examples built. Stanley produced approximately 775 steam-powered vehicles in 1907.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2024

Sold for $60,500 at 2023 RM Sothebys : Hershey.
Production of the Model K Semi-Racer continued through 1910, with twenty-six examples built during that time. It is believed that over a dozen exist in modern times, but just two are 'Cars of Record' in the Stanley Register list, with full history from their time of manufacture. Some of the other examples have been built from parts of other cars and with bodies and chassis built anew in wood.

This particular example was built by Darryl Kendall while he worked for the late Carl Amsley. The current owner purchased this Stanley from Mr. Amsley in 1991. After the purchase, the Stanley was given new brake shoes, an engine overhaul, and new piston rods.

This Stanley has an Antique Automobile Club of America National First medallion dated 1985. It has a red exterior finish, and the two bucket seats are upholstered in black leather. There is a folding windshield, a brass bulb horn, and brass Neverout headlights from the Rose Manufacturing Company of Philadelphia, fueled by a Prestolite cylinder beneath the running board.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2024