White Car
White Steam Car
Society members were kindly invited to view a veteran White steam-powered car owned by a local enthusiast. The first owner had been an Edinburgh doctor who took delivery in London and drove it home, with his brother, in December 1904,
taking two days to complete the journey. Members were allowed to make a close inspection and were given a detailed description of all its features.
The inevitable questions were all answered so we could really appreciate the differences between it and the more familiar cars with internal combustion engines.
The car was a product of the White Motor Company based in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. The history of the company is
described in
Wikipedia
A brief technical specification of the car is as follows:
Identity: White 15hp Model E five-passenger touring car
Serial No. 1975; engine No. E260
Steam source: White flash steam generator; working pressure 400 psi at 350°C fitted beneath the front seats
Gear ratios: low 7:1, high 3:1; gearbox is a transaxle with neutral
Vehicle weight (dry) 2015 pounds (915 kilograms)
Fluid capacities: 12 gallons fuel, 12 gallons water
Wheelbase 93 inches
Catalogue price when new £485
The engine was a compound type with high and low pressure cylinders. Once the steam had passed though both it entered a condenser, which at a glance looked like a conventional car radiator, and was returned to the tank to be used again. The engine was started, which took longer than starting an internal combustion engine, and ran quietly and smoothly. Once we had seen everything, it was a case of climb onboard for a drive round the local roads. A ride that can be described as quiet, smooth and with a good view due to the high seating position.