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 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
| 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 |