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Milwaukee steam car engine - stock code 12397

An original steam car engine by the Milwaukee Automobile Company.

One of the lesser known makes, the company was founded by W.H.Starkweather, Herman Pfiel and W.G.Smith in 1899. Of cautious mien, they chose steam over the new-fangled gasoline engine; tried and tested bronze bearings over up to the minute roller bearings.

Their two seater "Runabout" - similar in style to contemporary offerings from Stanley and Locomobile - utilised a twin cylinder, 5hp engine.

Offered at $750, it was advertised as "Thoroughly efficient, can be safely and easily handled by persons of ordinary intelligence"

Perhaps due to its conservative design - one which might have been seen, even in 1899, as old-fashioned; perhaps for want of sufficient customers of "ordinary intelligence", either way the company went bankrupt in1902, three years after its formation, with debts of $42,000.

length/inches 20
width/inches 12
height/inches 6 1/2
weight/kg 14.5
axlebox type plain bearing
cylinder material cast iron
valve type slide
valve gear Stephensons