Carbitrage: January 2006

"One of a kind custom designed steam powered car! Built over the last 5 years by an engineering and machinist teacher. Many parts were hand machined and many were adapted to fit. The car was used in many local parade’s shows and fairs. Car is capable of speeds in excess of 40 mph. has steam locomotive style speed controls and steam connections for a steam whistle! The machining ingenuity and detail that was put into this cannot be fully expressed without seeing!
Car carries two 50 lb. Propane cylinders fed through a standard pressure regulator and gas valve to a 35-gallon pressure boiler rated up to 200 lbs. Running steam pressure is around 100lbs. Sight glass on boiler for level indication. Water is fed to boiler through a water pump shafted to the drive train with a sight glass and flow meter and regulator valve to maintain water in boiler. Steering is a rack and pinion style with a 4”dropped straight axel, hydraulic drum brakes. 15” wheels and tires. Drive train is a dual steam piston (one on each side of car). Straight axel (no shocks). Speed is controlled by control lever into a variable steam port body assembly, forward and reverse is built into this block as well. Power is applied to the ground through dual 15” tires mounted side by side inside of car frame. There is a 12-volt battery mounted at the rear end for lights and a integrally mounted electrically powered rear jack. With a flip of a switch you can raise and lower the entire rear end! There is a plug in charger mounted there as well. Car is a two seater, right side steering. There is no title with this since it was not manufactured but a bill of sale will be provided. With a little work car could be street legal, but as is it is used only in shows and parades and state fairs and such (even comes with a slow moving vehicle sign). No guarantees are given with this vehicle and in no way am I saying you should jump in this car and take it down your main drag without fully understanding the operation of it. Basically it very easy to operate, Fill water tank, fill boiler, start boiler flame, when 50lbs pressure in boiler is reached (less then 15 minutes), open steam valve and away you go! Cruises very nice and smooth at 25 mph. Owner has passed away and the car was given to my father through the estate, he was my fathers mentor while my father was his student, friend for many, many years (he passed away at 91)! My father would like to see it go to some sort of collector or dealer, he cannot take the car out anymore as well. He has for the pass 9 months religiously taken care of it, charging battery, oiling pistons, rotation tires and running the car, which you can do with the rear hoist in up position!
I need 200.00 deposit within 72 hours from winning bidder. Pay pal or money order, I will help load onto truck, transport or trailer but shipping arrangements fees are the resposilibility of the winning bidder.
Also be aware if you bid and win the auction with the reserve met I (and Ebay) fully expect you to follow through. In other words please bid only if you’re a serious bidder.
Email for any other pictures or call 402-466-5244.
Thank you"