- Excellent example of a sophisticated White steam car
- Best-selling steam car in its day
- High-quality restoration
"Stanley" is the first name that usually comes to mind when one
thinks of steam cars, but the White Company of Cleveland actually
built more steamers in a shorter period of time than their
Massachusetts rival. Moreover, White steamers were significantly
more advanced, of higher quality, and performed better, though at a
cost of greater complexity.
Thomas White began manufacturing sewing machines early in the
nineteenth century, but it was his sons, Walter, Windsor, and
Rollin, who took the firm into the automobile business. Rollin was
the most interested in automobiles and went to Europe in the 1890s
to study the burgeoning motor industry there. He returned home in
1898 and developed a monotube boiler that raised steam very
quickly. The trio began building steam cars in the sewing-machine
factory in 1900.
The early White car was more sophisticated than its main
competition, the Locomobile, which had been designed by the Stanley
brothers. Rollin's fast-heating boiler and a condenser for
recycling exhaust steam made the White easier to operate and gave
it greater range. White sales grew steadily in the early years,
particularly after Locomobile left the steam business in 1904.
Thereafter, White's competition came from the Stanley steam car,
which the twin brothers had reclaimed from Locomobile. Despite the
White's significantly higher price, its advanced features made it
competitive.
Purchased by the Merrick Auto Museum in 2006, this White Model F
was previously owned by George B. Cropper. Painted white with black
fenders and accent moldings, it is a large car for its era,
weighing more than 2,000 pounds and riding a 114-inch wheelbase.
There is ample seating for five, sitting on diamond-pattern black
buttoned leather. All hardware is polished brass, and acetylene
B&L Auto Lamps are fitted for night driving. It is fitted with
all-white Universal 34 � 4 clincher tires on wood artillery
wheels.To view this car and others currently consigned to this
auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/hf19.
