c.1904 White Model 'E' 15HP Steam Car Rear Entrance Tonneau with Canopy

2-Cylinder Compound (High/Low) Steam Engine
Water-Tube Flash Boiler
Approximately 15bhp
2-Speed Transaxle
4-Wheel Leaf Spring
Rear Drum Brakes

*One of less than a dozen survivors known
*Listed in the White Register
*Large high-quality steam car

WHITE STEAM CARS

The two sons of Thomas H White, Windsor and Walter, shared their father's engineering flair but perhaps found the manufacture of sewing machines in the family business in Cleveland, Ohio, a little unexciting. Their fancy was taken by the new-fangled motor car at a time when it was still not clear whether the internal combustion engine, steam engine or electric power would be the predominant force. Windsor and Walter favored steam and their first motor car rolled out of the Cleveland works in 1900. In the New York to Buffalo Endurance Run of 1901 the four White steam cars entered each carried off First Class Certificates, the following year four Gold Medals were won in the New York-Boston-New York event and in 1903 a White Steamer won the Gold Medal in the New York to Pittsburgh Endurance Run. The company certainly knew the value of publicity achieved from these events and business boomed. Early cars generally followed the Stanhope design dating back to the days of the horse-drawn buggy but by 1903 the White took on a more grown-up look, the engine by this time mounted up-front, a more substantial chassis altogether being provided and the Model C and D Whites of 1903/04 were generally offered with rear-entrance tonneau coachwork, although more sophisticated part-closed coachwork was an option. White's main moment of glory was in 1905 when Webb Jay, driving 'Whistling Billy', set the new World Mile Speed Record at the Morris Park Track at a then almost unbelievable 73.75mph. Notable owners of White Steamers included Buffalo Bill Cody, John D Rockefeller and the U.S. Presidential Fleet.

The Model C and Model D Whites of 1903/1904 were similar in most respects and further research prior to the sale will we hope establish which this model is. These models had a more conventional appearance, similar to a gasoline-powered car and were unlike its rival, Stanley, which made no effort to disguise the boiler beneath the bonnet. Only the silence of operation would distinguish a White from its gasoline-powered contemporaries – although the outstanding hill-climbing ability and the visible steam output was perhaps a bit of a give-away.

Staying with a sequential nomenclature, their next automobile was the Model E, which is known to have been in production ahead of the 1905 season. It featured an enlarged 15hp engine and sat on a 93inch wheelbase, a 'Canopy Top Touring' such as this was priced at $2,700.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

Frank Spain's sincere wish throughout his collecting was to chart the journey of the automobile, its progress and the fascinating ways in which various individuals and nations had approached their solution to a self-propelled or 'horseless' carriage. Naturally, particularly in America, steam was an important part of that story, Spain elected to represent this chapter of the motoring history with one of the grandest steam automobiles.

On the White Car Register, the Tupelo Automobile Museum car here is listed as being one of 11 Model E Whites known to exist today. The website lists it as having had previous ownerships with Joel Pettengill, the Ersland family (of the Chickasha Pre-War Swap Meet in Oklahoma) and Art Rathart, no time periods for these owners are recorded.

Clearly the subject of a restoration prior to its acquisition for the collection, its large rear entrance tonneau bodywork is finished in white, with its upholstery and chassis frame being colored in a rich burgundy hue. The car is not known to have been dated by the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain and would require this in order to be a consistent entry to the event. However, it seems that it was used for at least one entry on the London to Brighton Run in the UK as it still carries an entry plaque for that event in the late 1980s.

For a car of its era the White has the stand out physical presence associated with its brand, enhanced by its Surrey top and windshield. Ahead of its charismatic condensing radiator, are a beautiful pair of Phare Angelicus headlamps, made by Luigi Angiulli of New York.

A majestic, high quality automobile of the brief steam motorcar era.