These bad boys could do over 120 mph, which was much faster than most gas-powered cars of the day. It is interesting to note, that near the turn of the century, steam-powered cars outnumbered gas cars about 2 to 1:eek:
I dont know too much about the Stanley steamer, so if anyone can post some about it (was it conventional direct drive??, what was the engines maximum rpm?? How much torque did it have??)

It is actually kind of suprising we dont use steam these days, as they produce massive abounts of torque. I guess it is easier to use hydraulics and electricity. At least all power plans that use heat to make power are just glorified steam engines.:)

Originally posted by Chris
How much torque did it have??



Jay Leno was with his Stanley Steamer on My Classic Car last week or the week before. He said it had basically unlimited torque right from 250 RPM.

Oh ya, I forget about that episode. He said it had 700lb-ft from 2 rpm on up. Pretty good. How could I have forgeten?? It also had direct drive, so its top speed would be limited by the engines rpm and wheel size.

Thanks for reminding me:)

The brakes on them suck though, they were driving down a road, and started braking for a red light WAY in advance, way before anyone else would, and ended up coming to a stop in the middle of the intersection :D:D

Yeah, that was funny:) Poor old Dennis just sat there, probably preparing to jump off!:D He had to throw it in reverse, even, and it still took forever.
To quote Ettore Bugatti, "My cars were meant to go, not to stop!"

i live about an hour from the stanley museum. its in kingfield maine near sugarloaf ski area.havent been there tho. seen some at the owlshead museum in owelshead maine near rockland me.