Brad in Wisconsin Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 I had the great honor of helping a friend extract this truck. A true high point in all my years of sniffing around for old machines My bud has been running into dead ends. what you guys think? we have a good idea. Thought you should have a chance. Enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickelroadster Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 Under hood hardware looks a little like a stanley steamer from the teens or so. Is it a car modified into some kind of farm truck? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandpa Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 The front suspension looks too heavy duty to be based on a passenger car. Doble did offer a commercial chassis.Grandpa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 I was thinking Doble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad in Wisconsin Posted September 10, 2009 Author Share Posted September 10, 2009 Hi fellas, Your looking at a truck that doesn't exist or so it seems. It is a Empire or Cruban, with a 3 cylinder engine direct connected to the rear axle. The truck isn't something someone put together as it has numerous castings that surely wouldn't be make for a one off. Before you go off, look at my pictures real close off the truck body. There is a faint emblem on one side and the back of the cab has what I see a Stea Co I'm thinking Empire Steam Car Co. here is a link to the site look for Cruban chassis. Steam Gazette Discussion Forum - Steam Cars :: 1 Steam Cars :: Cruban Steam Chassis Help me keep Mike interested in his truck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickelroadster Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 I am having a hard time visualizing the economics of using a steam truck for commercial purposes. Does anybody else out there have any info on any other steam trucks? Any pictures of any in use? Is there any clue as to what this one may have been used for? Did hey ever actually sell any Doble truck? I guess it would be just the ticket if you were looking for really fast delivery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hddennis Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 (edited) Nickelroadster, I felt the same way until a few years ago I picked up an odd British magazine about the steam hobby over there and was amazed at the number of surviving trucks. Apparently they were successful, at least over there.This link should wet your appetite to find out more: Dark Roasted Blend: Steam Buses & TrucksHoward Dennis Edited September 13, 2009 by hddennis (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Layden B Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 Over there they probably burned coal. Cheap domestic fuel would be the big motive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DeSoto Frank Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Fascinating photos at the Steam Gazette link...The rear-view of the survivor chassis are interesting - the cab looks very wide for a traditional cab & chassis - the cab usually doesn't extend that far beyond the frame rails... I'm wondering if this vehicle was converted into a Cab & Chassis from a bus body ( "parlor car")...Fascinating find - keep us posted ! De Soto Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jan arnett (2) Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 great link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad in Wisconsin Posted June 3, 2012 Author Share Posted June 3, 2012 found this on the net! Maybe this is the bus? Stewart Archive - Cruban Machine & Steel Company Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vintman Posted June 3, 2012 Share Posted June 3, 2012 Hi Folks,You may care to see some UK commercial steamers on the recent UK London to Brighton Commercial Vehicle Run on our website : The Historic Commercial Vehicle Society; The London to Brighton Commercial Run - 2006.RegardsVintman (UK) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vintman Posted June 3, 2012 Share Posted June 3, 2012 PSLater on Abner Doble worked in the UK for the Sentinel Wagon Company working on steamers. See my article : Abner Doble and Doble Steam Cars.Vintman (UK) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hddennis Posted June 3, 2012 Share Posted June 3, 2012 Just found this 4 part TV show on YouTube called Salvage Squad who does a lot of various restorations that are amazing. Check out their steam truck: Howard Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad in Wisconsin Posted June 8, 2012 Author Share Posted June 8, 2012 Fellas, would like this string to remain on subject or am I missing something here...... is this the only "existing" AMERICAN made steam truck/bus in the world !!!! I know of the existing Stanley mountain wagons but these are slightly altered automobile chassis' and this was an attempt to manufacture a a medium to a heavy truck chassis running on steam.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hddennis Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 stick a fork in me, I'm Done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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