AUTOMOBILES
The antique automobiles of The Collection on Palmetto date from 1886 to 1952, with special attention paid to the Brass Era, from 1896-1915. In no other era of automotive history did technology develop as rapidly. From materials used to methods of propulsion, the Brass Era is a formative era in car development.
Letter on antique automobiles from Steve Cook, HCCA Chairman of the Board
The Brass Era
Today we consider the automobile almost as an extension of our own bodies. We describe distance not in miles, but in minutes/hours. Rain, darkness, mountains, rivers, and extremes in temperature don't even factor into our travel plans. It wasn't always that way.
In 1900 America was a vast and mostly rural place compared to rest of the civilized world. The average American would live and die never venturing beyond a 25-mile radius of home. The first 15 years of the automobile would take us from an isolated existence to give folks the independence and freedom to be fully interconnected. Within a single generation life went from 6 to 60 MPH!
In many ways the evolution of the automobile parallels the space race. Sputnik to space shuttle occurred over a similar time span. The advancements in technology, metallurgy and manufacturing were equally advanced with both evolutions. Their impacts on life are almost immeasurable.
The dawn of the automobile up to the first world war is referred to as the “brass era” due to the brightwork being of brass since chrome plating had yet to be invented.
Take a tour through our collection to gain a better understanding of how that all unfolded.
Steve Cook, Horseless Carriage Club of America Chairman of the Board
Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right.
Henry Ford
Steam automobiles
At the Collection on Palmetto, we mean steam!
Steam power boosted America's burgeoning economic landscape at the turn of the 20th century. Industry was fortified by steam-powered giants in refineries, textile plants, steel mills and factories. Newly built transcontinental railroads relied on steam locomotives as towns and cities grew, cross-country networks of wealth were forged, and new opportunities arose from east to west and north to south.
The power and versatility of steam in a variety of applications were by now well-known, so it was hardly a surprise when car manufacturers opted to include steam as a method of propulsion. Steam-powered cars were reliable, powerful, quiet and fast. In 1906, Fred Marriott captured the land-speed record in a steam-powered car known as the Stanley Rocket. His winning speed topped 127 mph. Pictured to the right is a 1910 Stanley Model 70, a popular model produced by the Stanley Motor Carriage Company.
A bit more about steam cars
The Stanley Twins
The Stanley Twins
The Stanley Twins
The Stanley twins are pictured above in their first car, 1897.
Creators of the Stanley steam car, the brothers were by no means "one hit wonders." Their invention list also includes an airbrush, a drawing set, and a machine for making photographic plates. Here is an excerpt from Kit Foster's, The Stanley Steamer: America's Legendary Steam
The Stanley twins are pictured above in their first car, 1897.
Creators of the Stanley steam car, the brothers were by no means "one hit wonders." Their invention list also includes an airbrush, a drawing set, and a machine for making photographic plates. Here is an excerpt from Kit Foster's, The Stanley Steamer: America's Legendary Steam Car:
"Although often called Frank and Freel by family and friends, they have become more widely known by their initials, F.E. and F.O. The twins were blessed with inventive cleverness often called, Yankee ingenuity."
Foster, K. (2004). Stanley Steamer: America's Legendary Steam Car (p. 5). Stanley Museum, Inc.
To Steam Up
The Stanley Twins
The Stanley Twins
The following excerpt is taken directly from a 1913 Stanley publication, pictured above.
"First be sure that there is plenty of water in the boiler, and see that there is about 120 pounds pressure on the fuel pressure gauge; and that the Prest-O-Lite tank is connected to the acetylene torch line by the rubber tube connection.
Lift the hood
The following excerpt is taken directly from a 1913 Stanley publication, pictured above.
"First be sure that there is plenty of water in the boiler, and see that there is about 120 pounds pressure on the fuel pressure gauge; and that the Prest-O-Lite tank is connected to the acetylene torch line by the rubber tube connection.
Lift the hood lid and smoke bonnet lid, open the Prest-O-Lite tank valve, and light the acetylene torch with a match, placing the torch so the flame strikes the pilot vaporizer.
After from 15 to 30 seconds, or when the pilot vaporizer is sizzling hot, open pilot valve, light pilot by moving the torch so the flame will enter the peek hole; then move the torch back so the flame will strike the upper part of the vaporizer for 13 to 30 seconds longer, or until the main burner nozzles are sizzling hot."
Stanley Motor Carriage Company (1913). Instructions for Operating the Stanley Steam Car (p. 3). Stratton Press.
LINKS
Stanley Register Online
A list of all registered Stanley Steam cars. Great for history buffs.
Antique Automobile Club of America
America's premier resource for the collectible vehicle community