Kirkpatrick Steamers

1902 Stanley Spindle-Seat Runabout

History

This was the first steam car in the Kirkpatrick family.  It was purchased by Ray and Hugh Kirkpatrick in 1939 on the advice of high school friends.  The steamer was puchased from a farmer in Rumney Depot, NH.  It was in poor shape; sunk to the axles in mud, engine seized, boiler tubes rusted through, and rear seat smashed.  It was purchased for something between $5-$25.  Ray and Hugh were able to get the car operational after about a year's hard work.

The car has been mostly operational since then.  It was mostly used for driving around town and day trips.  This car attended it's first steam car tour in 1992 at Queechee, VT.  Since then, it has made every tour except one between 1992 and 2005 and has been driven by three generations of Kirkpatricks.  All those years have taken their toll and the necessity of a restoration became apparent.  This was a great motivating factor in the Kirkpatricks search for a newer steamer.  With a newer steamer we could retire the '02 for restoration.

1909 Stanley E2

History

This is the other steam car in the Kirkpatrick fleet.  After a difficult tour in 2005 the search for a newer steamer gained urgency.  Bow Kirkpatrick put out many feelers to try to track down a steamer that might be for sale.  With many unfruitful attempts.  Eventually someone mentioned that an elderly SACA member from NJ had expressed interest in selling a 10HP Stanley roadster.  After a few phone calls and some research it was discoverd that the car was owned by John P. West of Basking Ridge, NJ. 

Mr. West was contacted and an arrangement to see the car was made.  Mr. West expressed that he wanted the car to go to someone who would get it back on the road themselves and not immediately sell or auction it.  This was good news to hear.  After a period of negotiation a price was agreed upon and the car was picked up in the Spring of 2006.  It was operational by early June of that year.