Lot 608: The ex-Edward "Ted" Jameson,1904 White Model E Steam Touring Car Chassis no. C1571

Although "Stanley" is the first name that comes to mind in conjunction with steam cars, 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, albeit at a cost of greater complexity.

Thomas White had begun manufacturing sewing machines early in the Nineteenth Century. 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 to the U.S. in 1898 and developed a monotube boiler that quickly raised steam. He and Walter and Windsor began building steam cars in the sewing machine factory in 1900.

The 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. A White steam car was the first automobile to be put into service at the White House, during the administration of William Howard Taft in 1909. In 1906, a separate corporate entity, the White Company, had been formed to carry on the automotive business that had originated within the White Sewing Machine Company.

This White Model E was long owned by the late Connecticut collector Edward "Ted" Jameson, for whom it was restored by steam car specialist Louis Biondi. Restored to concours quality, it has been maintained in that state, and has recently been freshened by Chris Kidd's Tired Iron Works of Monrovia, California. It has been conclusively dated as of 1904 manufacture by curators at Cleveland's Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum, which will make it eligible for the annual London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run in the United Kingdom upon receipt of their dating certificate.

Standing tall in a rich, red hue, it has seats for four or five, and the power to transport them, and all their luggage, at a spirited pace, up hill and down. The rear-entrance tonneau leaves the sides free to carry wicker pannier baskets, and a canopy top shields the passengers from sun or, if not unduly inclement, stormy weather. Its condition is above reproach, and one would never imagine the restoration was completed more than two decades ago, such was the quality of the workmanship.

The car has its original burner and monotube boiler. The front-mounted condenser permits a range of 100 miles without rewatering, and the rapid-heating monotube boiler provides a full head of steam within minutes. With imposing presence and performance to match, it is a force to be reckoned with, whether in concours, on tour, or making its punctual arrival at Brighton.

Please note, the Certificate of Title for this vehicle currently lists the model year as 1905.