Robert E. Wilhelm's 1918 Model 735B 7-passenger Touring Stanley Steam Car
September 10, 2005

Built in 1918, Stanley Motor Carriage Company's serial number 18137 Model 735B has had at least 6 owners.  It is the 132^nd production Model 735 Stanley manufactured as the 735-series was introduced in 1918 (it is believed that the first 5 produced were prototypes).  While it is unknown who the first owner or owners might have been, it is known that H. R. Zinn of Upper Montclair, New Jersey performed a major restoration of the car in 1950-1952. He then sold it to W. Lee Graves of Chestertown, Maryland in late 1958. Six years later in 1964 T. Clarence Marshall of Yorklyn, Delaware purchased the car from the estate of Mr. Graves. Later that year it was sold to Marvin Klair of Milltown, Delaware. Under Marvin's ownership the car was seen at many steam car tours and local shows. Marvin stopped operating the car in 1992 and decided to sell it several years later.  In late 1997 Marvin sold serial number 18137 to its present owner, Robert E. Wilhelm, Jr. of Wilmington, Delaware.

As it had been nearly a half-century since the car had been restored Bob began a total restoration of the vehicle.  After a full mechanical restoration the car was first driven on August 26, 1999 (it was last driven by Marvin Klair in 1992).  After enjoying the car for the remainder of the Summer and Fall of 1999 and accumulating 350 miles, Bob embarked on the interior and exterior restoration of the Stanley.  With restoration nearing completion the car attended its first car show, the Hagley Car Show on September 18, 2005.  In late 2005 the vehicle was invited to be one of the featured cars of the 2006 Concours d'Elegance at Amelia Island, Florida on March 12, 2006.  The car was awarded a Blue Ribbon and the Amelia Island Award in the Condenser Steam Car Class.

The Stanley after mechanical restoration ~ August 26, 1999

Knowledge and advice, as well as parts and restoration information related Stanley steam cars is available from quite a number of individuals in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and Australia.  This web site is the first location on the world wide web where an extensive array of technical information and photography, supported by drawings and figures, has been brought together for the purpose of explaining, informing, and educating the interested visitor about a Stanley steamer.  Several links at the bottom of this page have been provided for the purpose of providing the visitor with excellent resources for information about the Stanley twins and other steam cars.

The visitor is reminded that the site will be updated regularly.  Please stop back frequently to see what is new.  The website visitor is also asked to review the site disclaimer for important information. As you visit the site and have questions, please don't hesitate to use the email link provided at the bottom of selected pages to write the website owner.  In a similar manner if you spot errors or omissions please contact the web site owner with your comments.

► About This Web Site & Acknowledgements

► Background Information on Stanley Steam Cars

► Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

► The Stanley Steamer song from "Summer Holiday" (1948)

► Rankine Cycle or Otto Cycle - Which Is Better??

► The Stanley Steamer for the Layman

► Model 735 Care & Operating Instructions

► Photos Of The Stanley Steam Engine

► Biography of Robert E. Wilhelm, Jr.

LINKS To Recommended Webpages
(click the logo to go to each site)

The Stanley Steamer America's Legendary Steam Car by Kit Foster Foreword by Beverly Rae Kimes Research Assistance by H. James Merrick

This web site, www.StanleyMotorCarriage.com, discusses the technical aspects of the Stanley Steam Car.  The Stanley Steamer ~ America's Legendary Steam Car, published in 2004 by the Stanley Museum, details the rich history of the company that manufactured these cars as well as the twins who invented America's best known steam car.  This book is highly recommended reading for those interested in knowing the complete, accurate, Stanley story.  Click on the photograph or the title above for more information on this exciting, highly acclaimed text.  Be sure and mention that you heard about the book from this web site when ordering.

John Woodson's web site provides numerous photographs of a variety of makes and models of steam cars.  His site includes a discussion forum and a lengthy list of links to other steam car and steam boat web sites.

The Steam Automobile Club of America (SACA) is an excellent organization to obtain reproductions of Stanley and other steam car manufacturer literature.  Their site includes a discussion group as well as links to other steam car web sites.

Tom Kimmel's web site offers a collection of scientific information, books, papers, and material related to steam power, steam engines, and steam machinery.  It consists of more than 600 titles with many of them being university text books; Society of Automotive Engineers Technical Papers - over 80 of them steam power related; 6,000 patent numbers; donated collections of private notes and correspondence; and steam magazines from the 1930’s on until now.