Anybody want a steam car?

"Jim Spanfeller" (awesomeaustinv) 03/06/2020 at 14:22 • Filed to: Steamlopnik

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This is a 1924 Stanley Steamer Model 740 G Roadster. It is for sale, and the price is £60,000.00. It’s not cheap, but these things are rare, and this particular one is in original unrestored condition, making it rarer. Steampunk is fairly popular these days. Several people have built so-called “steampunk” cars, but most of them just emulate the style, and aren’t actually steam-powered. Not this, though. This is the real deal. It has 20 hp, which may not seem like a lot, but these old steam cars were famous for having plenty of torque, so they do have that going for them.

If you wish to be the king/queen of all steampunk enthusiasts, this is the car for you. Also, yes, it has a whistle. 

ranwhenparked > Jim Spanfeller 03/06/2020 at 14:30

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I think these make close to 800 lb ft, probably enough to pull a skyscraper off its foundation.

Jim Spanfeller > ranwhenparked 03/06/2020 at 14:33

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So you’re saying I could do burnouts in it? ;)

ranwhenparked > Jim Spanfeller 03/06/2020 at 14:41

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Probably

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > ranwhenparked 03/06/2020 at 14:51

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But could it pull a safe out of a police station in Brazil? 

fintail > Jim Spanfeller 03/06/2020 at 14:54

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I’ve read about earlier models asploding, which scares me.   This one appears to be a rebody, but still nice patina.   

Jim Spanfeller > fintail 03/06/2020 at 15:15

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Yeah, that’s a common challenge in designing steam engines. I think it’s mostly just an issue of the engine failing to release excess pressure. Most of the toy steam engines I’ve seen have a valve that opens when the pressure reaches a certain level to eliminate the danger of exploding. I’m assuming that if this steam car is well-maintained and used properly, it should be safe enough.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Jim Spanfeller 03/06/2020 at 15:20

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Crack Pipe. For that money, I’d want to see the correct spare tire included and it being better overall condition.

Jim Spanfeller > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 03/06/2020 at 15:27

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I think the spare tire might actually be mounted on the back, and we just can’t see it from these angles. There does appear to be something behind the tank on the back, and I’m guessing that’s it. 

ranwhenparked > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 03/06/2020 at 16:13

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Well, 700+ lb ft of torque, but a wooden chassis, IIRC. Always worth a shot

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Jim Spanfeller 03/06/2020 at 16:15

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We most certainly can see if it’s there in this picture:

The frame to hold the spare is there, but the spare itself is missing.

Jim Spanfeller > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 03/06/2020 at 16:39

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Ah. Looks a bit funky without a spare, not gonna lie. Still, for such a rare car, and in surprisingly good (running) condition considering it’s unrestored, I think the price isn’t too crazy. It could be better, but it’s not unheard of for a car like this.

Future next gen S2000 owner > fintail 03/06/2020 at 16:54

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Ironically at the time, steam was considered safe and gas was the dangerous explodey stuff. Steam had been around for 100 or so years and was more familiar than an ICE .

fintail > Future next gen S2000 owner 03/06/2020 at 17:05

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I suppose water is less volatile than gasoline.  Just watch out for those boilers and fittings.

fintail > Jim Spanfeller 03/06/2020 at 17:07

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Yeah, I’ve assumed user error in those cases, or metal decay (I’ve read of at least a couple deaths in the 60s-70s), but still kinda scary.  Probably more risky simply driving a 100 year old car in modern traffic though.

ranwhenparked > Future next gen S2000 owner 03/06/2020 at 19:43

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Yeah, practical steam engines were over 200 years old at this point, it was proven technology that people were familiar and comfortable with. Internal combustion was the scary new technology. Not so much by the 20s though. Steam cars were almost dead by the time this was made, and Stanleys were the least advanced of all of them, it was basically 20 year old engine, boiler, and chassis technology under a modern body.

Future next gen S2000 owner > fintail 03/07/2020 at 08:29

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Plus you had a fire burning all the time. 

fintail > Future next gen S2000 owner 03/07/2020 at 12:21

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Probably not a slow burning predictable Ferrari-style fire either.

The shrapnel worries me most.