
The 1905 Stanley Model CX as it looks today
1902 Stanley Stick-Seat Runabout 1907 Stanley Semi-Racer Model K
General History
Slightly larger and more powerful than the 1902 model, the CX was the last model with tiller steering and a boiler under the seat. A very primitive car today, this model was nonetheless used for track racing, and in 1904 a very similar model was driven by F. E. Stanley up the motor road to the top of Mount Washington in 28 minutes.

An original ad for the Model CX, found in a Stanley Steam Car sales brochure
Our Model’s History
Tom Marshall bought this car from Robert Smith of St. Michaels, Maryland, in 1975. Painted red, white, and blue in honor of the nation’s bicentennial, it participated in several parades in 1976. In 1986, the color scheme changed to the present colors. It has been driven on 2 one- and two-cylinder tours and to several local events.
Specifications
Capacity: 2/4 passengers
Engine: 8 horsepower
Weight: 1,000 pounds
Wheelbase: 78 inches
Cost: $670 in 1905; today’s equivalent: $16,900
Comparison Chart
Model | Car Type | Passenger Capacity | Engine (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 | 650 | 17000 |
1902 Stanley Stick-Seat Runabout | Steam | 4 | 6 | 900 | 70 | 650 | 18108 |
1905 Stanley Runabout Model CX | Steam | 4 | 8 | 1000 | 78 | 670 | 16900 |
1907 Stanley Semi-Racer Model K | Steam | 3 | 30 | 1850 | 108 | 1800 | 47368 |
1908 Stanley Model EX | Steam | 4 | 10 | 1200 | 90 | 870 | 20400 |
1908 Stanley Gentleman’s Speedy Roadster H-5 | Steam | 2 | 20 | 1350 | 100 | 1350 | 35526 |
1910 Stanley Touring Model 71 | Steam | 4 | 20 | 2200 | 115 | 1400 | 35000 |
1912 Stanley Touring Model 87 | Steam | 7 | 30 | 4200 | 134 | 2500 | 57100 |
1913 Stanley Model 76 | Steam | 5 | 20 | 2800 | 120 | 1700 | 38000 |
1913 Stanley Roadster Model 78 | Steam | 2 | 20 | 2500 | 115 | 1640 | 36700 |
1914 Stanley Model 607 | Steam | 4 | 10 | 2200 | 112 | 1450 | 34414 |
1915 Stanley Mountain Wagon Model 820 | Steam | 15 | 30 | 5000 | 136 | 2350 | 54635 |
1916 Stanley Touring Model 725 | Steam | 5 | 20 | 3400 | 130 | 1975 | 43004 |
1918 Stanley Touring Model 735 | Steam | 7 | 20 | 3850 | 130 | 2600 | 40866 |
1922 Stanley Touring Model 740 | Steam | 7 | 20 | 4200 | 130 | 2750 | 40866 |
1924 Stanley Model 750 | Steam | 7 | 20 | 4200 | 130 | 2600 | 36086 |
1914 Ford Model T | Gas | 5 | 20 | 1200 | 100 | 500 | 12000 |
1932 Packard Phaeton Model 905 | Gas | 4 | 160 | 5450 | 142 | 4750 | 82288 |
1937 Packard Model 1508 | Gas | 7 | 175 | 6000 | 144 | 4500 | 74168 |
1916 Rauch and Lang Electric Brougham | Electric | 5 | 90 | 3500 | 92 | 2800 | 60967 |