1913 Stanley Roadster Model 78

The 1913 Stanley Roadster Model 78 is a glossy back car, with blue wheels, a space on the back for trunks, and a black top
The 1913 Stanley Roadster Model 78 as it looks today

1913 Stanley Touring Model 76 1914 Stanley Model 607

Our Model’s History

Purchased for the museum about 1949, this car was originally owned by Dr. J. H. Allen of St. Johnsbury, Vermont. It is one of three metal-bodied 20-horsepower roadsters in existence, and the only surviving Model 78. 

An ad for the 1913 Stanley Roadster Model 78, featuring a side profile of the car
An original ad for the Model 78, found in a Stanley Steam Car sales brochure

Restoration Work

After its purchase, this very original car received a quick paint job, new top, side curtains, and some engine work before being driven 1,200 miles on the 1950 Glidden Tour. It also participated in the 1974 Steam Car Tour. The wheels installed after the 1950 restoration were 34×4, but these were eventually changed in 1974 to Elster Hayes wheels and Coker rims.
In 2010, the Friends of Auburn Heights Preserve commissioned a complete restoration of this car by Charles W. Johnson of Wellsville, Pennsylvania. In December of 2012, the car returned just in time to mark the beginning of its centennial year.

Tom Marshall sits behind the wheel while Jack Hutton sits in the passenger side in this black and white photo of the Model 78
Tom Marshall drives the Model 78 (with Jack Hutton) on the Glidden Tour Revival, 1950

This car adopted by J. Stephen Bryce

Specifications

Capacity: 2 passengers
Engine: 20 horsepower
Weight: 2,500 pounds
Wheelbase: 115 inches
Cost: $1,640 inches
in 1913;
today's equivalent: 36,700

Comparison Chart

ModelCar TypePassenger CapacityEngine (Horsepower for Steam & Gas, Volts for Electric)Weight (Pounds)Wheelbase (Inches)Original Cost (Year Released)Today's Equivalent Cost (in 2015)
1901 Mobile
Steam
4
4.5
900
65
1901
17000
1902 Stanley Stick-Seat Runabout
Steam
4
6
900
70
1902
18108
1905 Stanley Runabout Model CX
Steam
4
8
1000
78
1905
16900
1907 Stanley Semi-Racer Model K
Steam
3
30
1850
108
1907
47368
1908 Stanley Gentleman’s Speedy Roadster H-5
Steam
2
20
1350
100
1908
35526
1908 Stanley Model EX
Steam
4
10
1200
90
1908
20400
1910 Stanley Touring Model 71
Steam
4
20
2200
115
1910
35000
1912 Stanley Touring Model 87
Steam
7
30
4200
134
1912
57100
1913 Stanley Roadster Model 78
Steam
2
20
2500
115
1913
36700
1913 Stanley Touring Model 76
Steam
5
20
2800
120
1913
38000
1914 Ford Model T
Gas
5
20
1200
100
1914
12000
1914 Stanley Model 607
Steam
4
10
2200
112
1914
34414
1915 Stanley Mountain Wagon Model 820
Steam
15
30
5000
136
1915
54635
1916 Rauch and Lang Electric Brougham
Electric
5
90
3500
92
1916
60967
1916 Stanley Touring Model 725
Steam
5
20
3400
130
1916
43004
1918 Stanley Touring Model 735
Steam
7
20
3850
130
1918
40866
1922 Stanley Touring Model 740
Steam
7
20
4200
130
1922
40866
1924 Stanley Model 750
Steam
7
20
4200
130
1924
36086
1932 Packard Phaeton Model 905
Gas
4
160
5450
142
1932
82288
1937 Packard Model 1508
Gas
7
175
6000
144
1937
74168