Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 516
c.1901 Locomobile Style 2 5.5HP Dos-a-dos Steam Runabout Car no. 3596 Engine no. 4684
Sold for US$29,120 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 516
c.1901 Locomobile Style 2 5.5HP Dos-a-dos Steam Runabout
c.1901 Locomobile Style 2 5.5HP Dos-a-dos Steam Runabout
Car no. 3596
Engine no. 4684
Car no. 3596
Engine no. 4684
2-Cylinder Double-Acting Steam Engine
Approximately 5.5bhp
Sprocket Rear Axle with Chain Drive
4-Wheel Leaf Spring Suspension
Rear Band-Type Brakes
*The only steam car in the collection
*Former ownership in the Tony Hulman/Indianapolis Museum of Speed Collection
*Very rare survivor of this coachwork style
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
The Locomobile owes its genesis in large part to the Stanley brothers, of steamer fame. One of Locomobile's co-founders, John Brisben Walker, persuaded the Stanleys to sell him their steam car business. Walker then sold a half-interest in the new company to an asphalt millionaire, A.L. Barber. Locomobile took over Stanley's production line at Watertown, Massachusetts, renaming the little steamers "Locomobile". The two partners had a falling out within weeks and severed their business ties. Barber retained the Locomobile name and Watertown plant, and eventually acquired other factory locations. From 1900 production was transferred to Bridgeport, Connecticut and by 1902, more than 4,000 units had been manufactured.
Many observers consider the Runabout the first mass-produced steam car, while noting that it was really a Stanley in all but name. It used a very simple motor that was directly attached to the axle sprocket. The chassis itself was basic as well; a wood frame and body with buggy-type suspension, spidery wire wheels and tiller steering.
This Locomobile appears to date from later on in 1901 to judge from published material on their car numbers which cites cars for 1901 as running between 2401 and 4660. Its engine number dates from 1902.
It would seem to be one of the more substantially bodied 'dos-a-dos' or back-to-back seating variants, which had more bodywork and distinctive looped handrails to the outside of the coachwork. Published advertising cites these as debuting in late 1901 for the following year, and to judge from surviving examples they are very few and far between, being seldom offered for sale.
The Locomobile was acquired privately through dealer Charles Bronson and is understood to have been part of a package of cars that emerged from the Indianapolis Speedway Museum in the early 2010s. It was therefore almost certainly previously part of the Tony Hulman Early Wheels Collection in Terre Haute, Indianapolis, prior to their merging at the Speedway. Cars in that collection were generally acquired in adolescence of the hobby and so it is likely that even by then it has spent some 40-50 years housed at Indy.
To judge from the way in which its paintwork is decorated it seems likely that it was used by Indy, or a former owner for promotional purposes, being copiously labelled for Richfield gasoline or 'ethyl'. From the aesthetics of its mechanics, it would appear not to have been run for a very long time. Steam cars are by their nature something that needs to be properly restored and exercised in order for their inherent power to be safe, so a comprehensive review of this car's running gear would be recommended prior to any use.
The Locomobile has never been submitted to the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain for confirmation of its manufacture date, however its format is one that was not in production beyond 1902, and owing to its originality generally would comfortably place it within the coveted pre-1905 window required to participate in the famed London to Brighton Run in the UK.
Approximately 5.5bhp
Sprocket Rear Axle with Chain Drive
4-Wheel Leaf Spring Suspension
Rear Band-Type Brakes
*The only steam car in the collection
*Former ownership in the Tony Hulman/Indianapolis Museum of Speed Collection
*Very rare survivor of this coachwork style
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
The Locomobile owes its genesis in large part to the Stanley brothers, of steamer fame. One of Locomobile's co-founders, John Brisben Walker, persuaded the Stanleys to sell him their steam car business. Walker then sold a half-interest in the new company to an asphalt millionaire, A.L. Barber. Locomobile took over Stanley's production line at Watertown, Massachusetts, renaming the little steamers "Locomobile". The two partners had a falling out within weeks and severed their business ties. Barber retained the Locomobile name and Watertown plant, and eventually acquired other factory locations. From 1900 production was transferred to Bridgeport, Connecticut and by 1902, more than 4,000 units had been manufactured.
Many observers consider the Runabout the first mass-produced steam car, while noting that it was really a Stanley in all but name. It used a very simple motor that was directly attached to the axle sprocket. The chassis itself was basic as well; a wood frame and body with buggy-type suspension, spidery wire wheels and tiller steering.
This Locomobile appears to date from later on in 1901 to judge from published material on their car numbers which cites cars for 1901 as running between 2401 and 4660. Its engine number dates from 1902.
It would seem to be one of the more substantially bodied 'dos-a-dos' or back-to-back seating variants, which had more bodywork and distinctive looped handrails to the outside of the coachwork. Published advertising cites these as debuting in late 1901 for the following year, and to judge from surviving examples they are very few and far between, being seldom offered for sale.
The Locomobile was acquired privately through dealer Charles Bronson and is understood to have been part of a package of cars that emerged from the Indianapolis Speedway Museum in the early 2010s. It was therefore almost certainly previously part of the Tony Hulman Early Wheels Collection in Terre Haute, Indianapolis, prior to their merging at the Speedway. Cars in that collection were generally acquired in adolescence of the hobby and so it is likely that even by then it has spent some 40-50 years housed at Indy.
To judge from the way in which its paintwork is decorated it seems likely that it was used by Indy, or a former owner for promotional purposes, being copiously labelled for Richfield gasoline or 'ethyl'. From the aesthetics of its mechanics, it would appear not to have been run for a very long time. Steam cars are by their nature something that needs to be properly restored and exercised in order for their inherent power to be safe, so a comprehensive review of this car's running gear would be recommended prior to any use.
The Locomobile has never been submitted to the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain for confirmation of its manufacture date, however its format is one that was not in production beyond 1902, and owing to its originality generally would comfortably place it within the coveted pre-1905 window required to participate in the famed London to Brighton Run in the UK.
Additional information
Looking for a similar item?
Our Cars specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistSpecialist section
Catherine Tejada
Sale Coordinator
Auction Viewings
- 28 April 2023, 09:00 - 17:00 EDT
- 29 April 2023, 08:00 - 16:00 EDT
