c.1903 Stanley Model CX 6½hp Steam Runabout

Footnotes

'When all was well, the little Stanley runabouts probably provided more pleasurable motoring than anything else on the market at the turn of the century - that is if they were handled properly - they ran very quietly and with that effortless smoothness which no petrol car of the time could rival. They were also quite lively...' - Anthony Bird, 1967.

Francis E and Freeland O Stanley were identical twins, whose Stanley Dry Plate Company produced photographic equipment. The brothers also designed steam cars, experimenting with a solitary prototype in 1887 before reviving the project in 1897. By the following year they had completed three more, one of which completed a spectacular demonstration in Charles River Park, Boston where it successfully scaled an 80ft incline that had defeated its rivals. Orders for 200 cars resulted and the Stanleys were in business. That first design was sold to John Brisben Walker and manufactured as the 'Locomobile', while the Stanleys progressed to a non-condensing engine driving the rear axle directly, with a rear-mounted boiler, production of which commenced in 1902. With Mobile out of business by 1903 and Locomobile by that time making petrol-engined cars, Stanley dominated the market and continued to do so until 1927 when steamer production ceased. Stanley's sole UK agent was F Wilkinson of Manchester.

Listed in Kelly R Williams' Stanley Register and the Sprague Register (when owned by Art Hart), this CX runabout was previously purchased by one A Sinclair from a G Brese in the USA and imported in a partially dismantled state in June 2008. It was rebuilt with the assistance of F J Theobald (of the Steam Car Club) and on Mr Theobald's death was sold to a Mr T Gurr. The immediately preceding owner acquired the Stanley in February 2013 and a considerable amount of additional work was subsequently carried out, mainly by J R Goold Vintage Steam Restorations. The rebuild was completed in 2015. The boiler (and its larger-than-stock tank) are the only notified deviations from factory specification.

The car's previous owner purchased the Stanley at Bonhams' London-Brighton Run sale in October 2015 (Lot 104), since when it has been on display in a heated barn and only used two or three times per year. Since acquisition, the vehicle has been tested annually by J R Goold, who have looked after it for many years. Last year they added a remote handle to the drains enabling operation from the driver's seat, but this can be returned to standard in 20 minutes with no damage to the car. By time of sale J R Goold will have completed the 10-year hydraulic test and live steam test, so the Stanley will come with new 10-year hydraulic and a one-year steam certification. Offered with a V5C document.

This Lot is available to view at Classic Car Storage near Petersfield, Hampshire (by appointment with the Car Department only) from Monday 24th October to Wednesday 2nd November. It will then be available to view at Bonhams, 101 New Bond Street on Friday 4th November from 10am.