1908 Stanley Gentleman’s Speedy Roadster H-5

The 1908 Stanley Gentleman’s Speedy Roadster H-5 is a fully red car with gold accents, it looks like a cross between a car and a carriage

The 1908 Stanley Gentleman’s Speedy Roadster H-5 as it looks today, featuring the late Tom Marshall behind the wheel

1908 Stanley Model EX 1910 Stanley Touring Model 71

 

General History

By 1908, the Stanleys were manufacturing a full line of models, from family touring cars to limousines to fast roadsters. The Model H-5 is the sports car of the line, advertised as “intended for those who wish to hit up a speed of 65 or 70 miles an hour on a good, safe road.”

An advertisement for the 1908 Stanley Gentleman’s Speedy Roadster H-5 Ad, featuring a side profile of the car

An original ad for the Model H-5, found in a Stanley Steam Car sales brochure

Our Model’s History

This vehicle was purchased from Murray M. Brown of Athol, Massachusetts, around 1950, when his wife of one year said either the car had to go or she would. A toolmaker by trade, Brown purchased the car during World War II and completely disassembled it to refinish each piece. The story goes that he painted and striped the pieces while in the nude to prevent any dust from clothing getting into the paint.

Clarence Marshall purchased the Model H-5 pieces from Brown and assembled them, taking the car to meets sponsored by the Antique Automobile Club of America. His son Tom drove it on a 1973 steam car tour. This automobile also participated in the great New Jersey Steam and Air Race about 1975 and traveled to Columbus, Ohio, for the annual convention of Stanley Steemer, Inc., the carpet cleaning company (no direct connection to Stanley steam cars).

Specifications

Capacity: 2 passengers
Engine: 20 horsepower
Weight: 1,350 pounds
Wheelbase: 100 inches
Cost: $1,350 in 1908; 2015 equivalent: $35,526

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 MobileSteam44.59006565017000
1902 Stanley Stick-Seat RunaboutSteam469007065018108
1905 Stanley Runabout Model CXSteam4810007867016900
1907 Stanley Semi-Racer Model K
Steam3301850108180047368
1908 Stanley Model EXSteam41012009087020400
1908 Stanley Gentleman’s Speedy Roadster H-5Steam2201350100135035526
1910 Stanley Touring Model 71
Steam4202200115140035000
1912 Stanley Touring Model 87Steam7304200134250057100
1913 Stanley Model 76Steam5202800120170038000
1913 Stanley Roadster Model 78Steam2202500115164036700
1914 Stanley Model 607Steam4102200112145034414
1915 Stanley Mountain Wagon Model 820
Steam15305000136235054635
1916 Stanley Touring Model 725
Steam5203400130197543004
1918 Stanley Touring Model 735
Steam7203850130260040866
1922 Stanley Touring Model 740
Steam7204200130275040866
1924 Stanley Model 750
Steam7204200130260036086
1914 Ford Model T
Gas520120010050012000
1932 Packard Phaeton Model 905
Gas41605450142475082288
1937 Packard Model 1508
Gas71756000144450074168
1916 Rauch and Lang Electric Brougham
Electric590350092280060967

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