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 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 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 in 1913; today’s equivalent: $36,700
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 |