Locomobile Steam Car

The Stanley brothers, Francis and Frelan, produced their first steam car in 1897 which showed such potential that two wealthy entrepreneurs, John Walker and Azmi Barber, immediately bought the business and, in 1899, formed the Locomobile company. The venture initially thrived, with a Locomobile for a time being the best-selling car in America. In 1903, however, the company switched technologies, abandoning steam in favour of petrol engines and sold the steam car operations back to the Stanley brothers at a knock-down price. Locomobile survived with some success producing expensive high-end petrol vehicles but faltered in the 1920s, and was acquired by Durant Motors in 1922, finally disappearing in 1929.

The Stanley brothers, meanwhile, persisted with steam, their name becoming synonymous with such vehicles, but the days of steam were numbered, and the company finally went bankrupt in 1923.

About this vehicle

Richard Shuttleworth had a particular fondness for steam cars, owning two Locomobiles, a 1904 Stanley and a White steam car, in various stages of restoration. This 1900 Locomobile, which he purchased for £35, is the only survivor, having completed the London-Brighton run in 1937 (when it was disqualified for being too fast) and 1938.

The part-restored car made its debut at the Bedfordshire Steam Fare in 2011, but by 2019 the boiler was no longer serviceable, and it was decided that a full restoration of the vehicle as needed. This is due for completion in 2026.

Like other early Locomobiles, this follows the original Stanley design, with a vertical boiler fired by heavy oil, and a horizontal twin-cylinder, side-valve, engine driving the rear wheels by chain. There is no clutch or gearbox.

 

Specification