1901 Milwaukee Racer 6hp Steam Car

• Short-lived American make
• Unique factory-built racer
• Restored to original specification in 2010
• New boiler installed in 2019
• Fresh boiler safety certificate
• Many-time London-Brighton Run participant


Founded in 1899 by W H Starkweather, Herman Pfiel and W G Smith to build steam-powered cars, the Milwaukee Automobile Company produced its first car in 1900. Having over estimated the demand for its products, the company was soon declared bankrupt and closed in 1902.

This 'Milwaukee Racer' was built by the company in 1901 for Dr J G Lovell of Chicago having been designed by the company's Chicago agent, Frank P Illsley. Not merely an adaptation of one of the firm's standard models, this purpose-built racer was exhibited at the first Chicago Auto Show in March 1901. That same month The Daily Northwestern reported that the company is 'building a machine with a speed of a mile a minute... It is expected to be the fastest automobile in America, and of its kind, the fastest in the world' (see list of contemporary press references on file). Little has been found relating to this car's active racing history, except for the possibility of its participation in an event at Joliet, Illinois in October 1901.

At some stage the Milwaukee was extensively modified; a new style of body was mounted on running gear lengthened by 18", and the boiler moved to the front under a bonnet arrangement. There is no firm evidence as to when this was carried out, but it is possible it was done in the 1930s. The Milwaukee was certainly in this modified form in 1954 when it was restored by a Mr Ray Salentine of Waukesha, Wisconsin.

It is thought that the vehicle was sold in the 1960/1970s to a new owner in Beloit near Chicago, disappearing from view until it reappeared in 2001 at the Auto Museum in Ladenburg, Germany.

The current vendor purchased the Milwaukee in the UK in the spring of 2005 and after a two-year period of research it was restored to the original design of 1901.

Renovated and re-steamed in July 2010, the Milwaukee has taken part in the famous London-to-Brighton Run on numerous occasions. A new boiler was manufactured and fitted in 2019 by specialists J.R. Goold Stealm Ltd, and the present boiler examination and pressure test is valid until December 2024. Offered with a V5C document.