Published: August 28, 2006 11:55 am      

1921 Stanley Steamer

Vintage car steaming way to Heritage Days

ROMNEY - The Hampshire Heritage Days Car Show next month will have an exciting and unique entry - a 1921 Stanley Steamer.

Out of the 10,494 steam cars built by the Stanley Company at the beginning of the 1900s, there are only about 500 left in the world. Jim Showers of Shanks is the proud owner of one of them.

"I had been planning to build a steamboat," said Showers, "when a friend of mine told me this car was available from the huge Barney Pollard antique car collection in a barn up in Michigan. I had been buying parts for my steamboat," Showers said, "when I considered I could drive a steam car on my road 50 feet from the house instead of hauling a steamboat 50 miles to the nearest lake." With a little pleading with his wife and scraping together a hefty chunk of change, Showers purchased the car four years ago.

The original list price on the vehicle in 1921 was $3,800 but probably sold for around $2,600. Today, a fully restored Stanley Steamer would cost at least $65,000. It weighs around 3,600 pounds, has a wheelbase comparable to a standard pickup truck and gets around 10 miles to a gallon of kerosene.

Showers believes the car was able to survive the scrap metal collection during World War II because it ran on kerosene, which was not being rationed like gasoline during the war. The kerosene fires the stream engine, which applies power to the drive train without a clutch or gears. According to Showers, the car has very fast acceleration and can easily cruise at today's highway speed limit. He said the car builds speed so fast it's actually scary to some people.

The only major drawback, and perhaps the reason why the steam car couldn't compete with newer gas models, was due to its archaic starter. Showers picked up a propane torch and proudly declared that it was the key to start the motor. He said the Steamer can take from 20 minutes to two hours to get started "depending on your luck."

The car is currently in its original condition, which is a bit rough but has lots of charm. The body is made of aluminum and the interior was completely upholstered in leather. Showers intends to begin restoration of the car in two years when he retires.

In addition to the Stanley Steamer, Showers owns two Packards. One is a green 1941 model 120, with its original paint job and is powered by an eight-cylinder straight block engine. The other is a burgundy 1947 Packard Clipper, also in perfect condition.

The Stanley Steamer and many other cars will be on display at the car show in Romney on Sept. 9 between noon and 5 p.m. Participant registration is free and the first 50 vehicle owners get a baseball cap, goodie bag and dash plaque. Registration begins at 10 a.m. on Main Street in Romney across the street from Sheetz. All categories are welcome: antiques, custom, classic, street rod, special interest, imports and trucks. There will also be an actual NASCAR racecar and driver at the show answering questions about professional racing.

On Sept. 10, the cars will leave to make room for the Romney Motorcycle Show held at the same location. Registration will be from 10 to noon at the same spot and the first 50 motorcycle owners will get dash plaques, baseball caps and goodie bags.

Participants who have questions can call (301) 724-4339.