Many Thanks to Merle for spotting this post on Facebook! Steam powered cars are always being thought about by a few, but the ultimate happened with Doble steamers early in the Twentieth Century, and Doble disappeared in 1931. Jay Leno has a couple Dobles in his collection, and you can't help but be impressed by the century-old sophistication. It is much more than a Stanley!
Presented for your consideration is this Stanley Steam engine. In 1906, a production Stanley Steamer was the first vehicle to reach 127mph. This record for steam propelled speed was held for 103 years, til another steam powered rig broke it in 2009.
The Stanley brothers made cars with aluminum bodies and later, tubular steel frames-before 1920.
Efficient and safe, the Stanley Steamer had no neutral, no clutch or transmission because the broad torque curve and four power strokes per 360 degrees of crank rotation (like a gas 8 cylinder) provided by its double acting two cylinder engine meant it didn't need one. Engine power was routed directly to the rear differential. Also of note is that there was never a single documented case of a Stanley Steamer boiler exploding. Each one was wrapped in three layers of piano wire; tested to twice its nominal 600PSI operating pressure at the factory before being installed.
A combination of ICE electric starting and increased power output, and the Stanley brothers' inability to garner sufficient advertising and marketing momentum while mandating only 1000 cars a year be made, meant that internal combustion engines took over. Funny how it took Mercedes Benz over a thousand cubic inches of four banger to equal on the track, what the Stanley did with just 20 rated horsepower and two 4 inch bore x 5 inch stroke cylinders.
However, looking at this kerosene burning design, it could be a very effective machine with modern computer controls. It's much easier to control fuel combustion in a continuous Bunsen burner style boiler than it is with the continuously variable demands of what goes on inside a piston engine.
A modern, steam powered vehicle like this could be a compelling option.
Check out Jay Leno's 1925 Doble!
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