The 1915 Stanley Model 820 Mountain Wagon has five rows of seats, fitting across approximately three people per row. The car is all red with a black top. There is a sign on the side that reads "Friends of Auburn Heights Preserve, Yorklyn, DE"

The 1915 Stanley Model 820 Mountain Wagon as it looks today

1914 Ford Model T 1916 Stanley Touring Model 725

Learn more about Stanley Mountain Wagon (including about ours!) by watching our Behind the Steam virtual program.

Behind the Steam: Stanley Mountain Wagon

Want to hear more about the Mountain Wagon from our founder Tom Marshall? Check out this video from the official Marshall Steam Museum YouTube channel!

Tom Marshall: Mountain Wagon

General History

The Model 820 was the largest Stanley passenger vehicle ever built and this example remains the only surviving 15-passenger model. The Mountain Wagon was designed to haul guests to the Stanley brothers’ hotel, simply titled the Stanley. The Stanley was established in 1909, and is famous for inspiring Stephen King’s novel The Shining.

An original ad for a slightly smaller version of the Mountain Wagon Model 820, found in a Stanley Steam Car sales brochure

Our Model’s History

Believed to have been originally owned by the Litchfield Shuttle Company of Southbridge, Massachusetts, the Model 820 had been used to haul logs out of the New Hampshire woods prior to its purchase by Clarence Marshall in 1946 for $1,700 from George Monreau of Cochituate, Massachusetts.

Driven home after purchase, the vehicle immediately underwent an “early restoration,” with a new paint job (changing the color from black to the original red), installation of smaller, heavier wheels and tires, an engine change, and some burner work. Seat cushions were covered in imitation leather and a new top was made. A reliable car, it ran for 30 years with minimal maintenance.

Clarence Marshal stands at the side of the mountain wagon, posing for the camera with a full load of passengers in the Mountain Wagon

Clarence Marshall and the 1915 Stanley Mt. Wagon, Glidden Tour, 1948

An estimated 50,000 passengers have ridden in this vehicle, many for very short rides, and it may easily hold the record for the most passengers carried in an authentic antique car. Driven not only on two Glidden Tours but to many local meets and on a tour in Colorado, the total mileage since acquisition remains low—fewer than 10,000 miles.

The Auburn Valley railroad is shown riding in front of the Mountain Wagon, both have fully loaded cars

A picture used in an advertisement for the Age of Steam event that was held during the 70’s at the Marshall Steam Museum, the Mountain Wagon is featured in the back with a full passenger load

The back of the Mountain Wagon is shown passing in front of a sign that reads "The Magic Age of Steam, Snacks"

The Mountain Wagon passing in front of a concession stand for The Magic Age of Steam event at the Marshall Steam Museum, taken circa 1970s

Specifications

Capacity: 15 passengers
Engine: 30 horsepower
Weight: 5,000 pounds
Wheelbase: 136 inches
Cost: $2,350 in 1915; 2015 equivalent: $54,635

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

1915 Stanley Mountain Wagon Model 820