Lot details Registration No: BF 6381 Chassis No: 19376 Mot Expiry: Exempt
The Stanley Motor Carriage Company came about after twin brothers F.E. and F.O. Stanley sold their photographic business to Kodak. The siblings began making steam cars as early as 1897 and much development had taken place by the time this left-hand drive 735B left the Massachusetts factory in 1919. Original documents show it to have begun life in California and to be registered to a Tom Wade of Wilmington by 1929. George Read of Santa Ana became its keeper in 1957, who sold it to Nels Grofthold in 1963. By this stage it appears to have lost its original body and then disappeared from the radar altogether for some 30 years. Its saviour seems to have been Robin Downing of Dyfed, Wales who purchased it in 1991 and imported it to the UK - a process that was supported in writing by the then Curator of the National Motor Museum, Michael Ware.
The Tourer then passed to a family in the Midlands who sourced the correct type and age of replacement six-seater Touring body and embarked upon a comprehensive restoration. That was nearing completion when the project's driving force passed away, causing the Steamer to remain untouched for a further decade. Happily, another enthusiast acquired 'BF 6381' from a Cheffins sale in 2012 and completed the refurbishment, which included rewiring and the installation of an all-new interior in Bentley Beluga Black button back leather, plus a new hood, hood frame, oak battery box and windscreen. J.A. Glaze Ltd of Wolverhampton issued the Stanley with a Pressure Systems Certificate of test valid until 19/6/2022. Half the Pressure Test has been satisfactorily carried out, but at the time of writing the 735B had not undergone the Steam Test, but hopefully it will have by the sale date. The vendor currently classes the bodywork and paintwork as 'good' and the twin-cylinder engine as 'OK'.
All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.
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