1911 Stanley Touring Runabout (Toy Tonneau)
- Engine
- 10 hp twin-cylinder double-acting steam engine
- Colour
- Brewster Green with yellow wood-spoke wheels and chassis
A 1911 Stanley steam car, chassis 6076, featuring a 10 hp double-acting two-cylinder steam engine and toy tonneau coachwork. Long held by the Fodor family of Connecticut, it was rediscovered in barn storage in 1994 and underwent an exhaustive, expert-led restoration by Paul Russell & Co., achieving Second in Class at the 1997 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Subsequently owned by prominent collector William Ruger Jr., who commissioned further mechanical upgrades including a super-heater and an engine strengthening kit.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$286,000
- 1994 →Acquisition unknownChristopher Hutchins of Brewer, Mainepartial documentation
Commissioned a thorough ground-up restoration to factory specification through Paul Russell & Co., involving multiple specialist craftsmen for coachwork, boiler, upholstery, and plumbing.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownFodor family of Norwalk, Connecticutpartial documentation
A senior family member assembled a collection including this vehicle in the early 20th century; ownership then passed by inheritance to nephews, who retained it until the early 1990s. The car reportedly sat dormant in a barn under straw for roughly half a century, though it was said to have been operational as late as the 1940s.
- Date unknownPrivate saleWilliam Ruger Jr.partial documentation
After acquiring the car, returned it to boiler specialist Don Bourdon for mechanical upgrades including a new super-heater, boiler resealing, an engine strengthening kit, an economizer, and a feed-water heater.
Competition
- 19971997 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance2nd in class
First major appearance following the Paul Russell restoration; the car was entered to demonstrate fidelity to factory specification.
- 1998Steaming through the Rockies rallyCompleted without incident
A touring rally completed successfully the year after the Pebble Beach showing.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1994RestorationPaul Russell & Co.
Comprehensive restoration to factory-original specification carried out by Paul Russell & Co., drawing on research into surviving examples and consultation with leading Stanley authorities. Bodywork by Mark Herman; boiler work by Don Bourdon; upholstery in period-correct black leather by Mike Curley; plumbing assistance by Charlie Johnson. Coachwork finished in Brewster Green with yellow wood-spoke wheels.
Also involved specialist sub-contractors: Mark Herman (coachwork), Don Bourdon (boiler), Mike Curley (upholstery), Charlie Johnson (plumbing). Original lighting equipment retained and recommissioned.
- —MechanicalDon Bourdon
Following acquisition by William Ruger Jr., Don Bourdon installed a new super-heater, resealed the boiler, and fitted a reversible engine strengthening kit comprising heavier connecting rods, crank throws, piston rods, and wrist pins to address known weaknesses in the 10 hp engine. An economizer exploiting exhaust heat and a new exhaust-duct feed-water heater were also added.
The feed-water heater was not part of the original 1911 specification but was adopted by the factory on 10 hp cars by 1914; all upgrades were described as reversible or non-intrusive to the car's character.
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