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The Stanley Motor Carriage Company
Twins Francis E. Stanley and Freelan O. Stanley founded the Stanley Dry Plate Company in the late 1800s, one of New England’s largest photography studios and dry plate business, and sold it to Eastman Kodak to focus on their true passion. They were exceptionally gifted, creative designers, and manufactured their first steam car in 1897. Freelan managed to take the first vehicle to the top of Mount Washington in 1899, the highest peak in the northeast. In the next couple years, they would produce and sell over 200 cars, more than any other American manufacturer, and did so well that they sold the rights of their design to Locomobile. But by 1902, they were back at it, and formed their own Stanley Motor Carriage Company in Newton, MA, developing a new model with twin-cylinder engines geared directly to the rear axle to overcome patent difficulties. They would become the most famous maker of steam-powered automobiles.
The cars became known as “Stanley Steamers,” sometimes nicknamed, “The Flying Teapot.” With no transmission, clutch, or driveshaft, they still set the world record for the fastest mile in an automobile in 1906 at 127 mph, a record not broken by another steam car for over a century. There isn’t a record of a single incident of a Stanley boiler exploding. By 1917, production rose to 519 vehicles, but the next year Francis died in a car accident. Freelan sold his interests to Prescott Warren and the company suffered a period of decline and technological stagnation. At the same time, combustion engines had transformed the automobile market. They improved fuel efficiency and power, with electric starters instead of cranks, at a more reasonable price. Despite the Stanley Company’s fear-based advertising campaign discredition the “internal explosion engine,” the factory closed in 1924 after producing nearly 11,000 vehicles, failing to adapt to the rapid improvements that accompanied the internal combustion engines.
The 1905 Model CX Runabout Chassis 1305
Period and marque experts believe this to be the most original Stanley example in existence.
ENGINE: Two-Cylinder Steam
HP: 10
CHASSIS NO.: 1305
BOILER: 16 in. (diameter)
BHP: 10
BRAKES: 2-Wheel Mechanical System
AXLES: Solid Front, Live Rear
SUSPENSION: Full-Elliptical Leaf Spring
FEATURES: Umbrella Basket
STEAM GAUGES: Stanley Motor Carriage Co. (Newton, MA, USA)/The Ashton Valve Co. (Norton, MA, USA)
WHEELBASE: 78 in.
HISTORY: See below for the vehicle's history prior to entering the Dick Shappy Collection in 2010.
“The Stanley Model CX was their mid-range offering, with an entirely a wooden body design including the main frame rails. The Model CX was a "four" passenger car with a unique rear seat arrangement that featured sliders so it could be moved rearward to provide additional room for passengers, or slide forward to convert the rear area to a cargo area. One distinct advantage of the Stanley design was that it was an extremely light-weight vehicle.
Bought new by Hadley B. Worthen it remained in his family's ownership until the 2000s when it was acquired by noted Stanley restorer Don Bourdon. During the Worthen family ownership, the car was carefully stored and experienced remarkably little aging. When finally acquired from the family it was a true time-warp example. Today this car is the considered the holy grail of early Stanleys and is a benchmark reference for Stanley authenticity. During his ownership, Mr. Bourdon carefully recommissioned the Stanley to operational condition. A new Bourdon boiler was fitted and most of the original mechanicals were restored to original functionality. Acquired by the current owner following its recommissioning, it has resided in a private collection being steamed top from time to time.
Offered in superb original and operational condition - a seldom seen combination. This Stanley is a superb addition to any collection and a welcomed preservation entry in the most exclusive concours events.”
- Bonhams
“The car was purchased new by wealthy Boston-area lawyer Albert Worthen. Mr. Worthen and his brother drove the car until 1912. At the time, it had about 2,400 miles when it was put into the family barn. The car was sold to Don Bourdon in 1980, and that was the first time it left the family property since it was put into hibernation.
This Model CX has a factory-installed 16-inch diameter boiler, eight-horsepower engine, and 48-gear ratio within the 78-inch wheelbase chassis. The car has its original exterior, interior, lights, and dual Ashton Valve gauges with Stanley Motor Carriage labels.”
By Concept Carz
“Slightly larger and more powerful than the 1902 model, the CX was the last model with tiller steering and a boiler under the seat. A very primitive car today, this model was nonetheless used for track racing, and in 1904 a very similar model was driven by F. E. Stanley up the motor road to the top of Mount Washington in 28 minutes.”
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