Posted by Jerry on May 23rd, 2009 — Posted in Journal, Steam
A Stanley 740B 20HP steam car similar to the one pictured below is in the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney. Apparently Stanley steam cars made for the Australian market had a number of distinguishing features which made them different from those made for the US market. All Stanleys sent to Australia had wire wheels, while those in the US had wooden artillery wheels, and Australian dealers added “Stanley Steamer” in metal writing across the radiator.
The 1921/2 Stanley was bought new in 1922 by a Mr H.F. Slocombe, an engineer living in Manly, NSW. The car was one of the last two imported into Australia before WW2.
[Photo: Jerry Everard//taken at the Ottawa Science and Technology Museum, Canada]
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Posted by Jerry on May 20th, 2009 — Posted in Journal, Steam, Technology
It’s not often a steam car gets offered for sale in Australia – and when one does – few would match the quality of this newly restored Stanley CX 1903. The attention to detail is superb. The car is offered as part of a deceased estate and is fully functional. It is also London-to Brighton eligible. The car boasts a new boiler, burner, tires, leather, paint, basket etc. and its fold-out seat enables two additional passengers to be carried.
Check out the photos – then contact Ken Russell (himself a Stanley owner) for more details – but only if you’re genuine 🙂 He can be contacted in Melbourne Australia Vic, via the email link above. For more information about Stanley steam cars, check out the UK’s Steam Car Club website run by Jeff Theobald.
Photos courtesy of Ken Russell
Cheers
Jerry
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Posted by Jerry on May 17th, 2009 — Posted in Journal, Steam
Arthur Funai is a perfectionist and a retired engineer who worked for General Electric. That was a while back, and at almost 90 years of age he is completing restoration of a 1904 Grout steam car that he has had under restoration since 1956. It has been a lifelong hobby – he has also restored a 1914 Model T Ford – which is in the garage next door.
He began restoring the Grout car when he was 36 years old, and being an engineer, he has made many of the parts himself – including the machines to make the parts. But some critical systems, like the boiler he outsourced to specialists – in this case Don Borden who has made over 500 boilers for steam cars – mainly Stanley steamers.
You can read the full story in the Boston Globe here.
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