Perhaps these cars are the most amazing steam powered cars. Why? Let's try to consider these miraculous mechanisms in our material. And let "Doble Model E" be the most famous model of American engineer and inventor Abner Doble. But this is not the very beginning …
The Doble brothers' commitment to using steam in cars borders on bigotry. Already when all the other inventors abandoned this concept, their dedication to the couple ultimately led to the most wonderful ferry cars ever made.
Early development began with a small structure, assembled between 1906 and 1909. The inventors were still in high school then. Using components rescued from the crashed White, and with their own engine, they got their first car.
With the help of his brother John, Abner Doble built the Model A in 1912 after dropping out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The next prototype, Model B, included many innovative solutions. Using a honeycomb radiator to re-condense the used steam virtually eliminated water loss. And this significantly reduced the need for "refueling".
The twenty-five horsepower engine allowed the Model B to reach a top speed of 120 km / h, accelerating from zero to 100 km / h in 15 seconds! At the time, this was incredible for a conventional road car. It took the Ford T 40 seconds to reach a top speed of 80 km / h. On top of that, Dobley's steam engine was virtually silent.
Photo from an advertising poster. Doble-Detroit, 1917.
Promotional video:
In 1915, Abner brought the Model B from Boston to Detroit to attract investors. He was able to raise $ 200,000, with which he founded General Engineering in 1917 to build a new car, the Doble-Detroit. The design included even more advanced features, including simplified handling, electric start and very quick readiness to drive: from a cold state, in just a minute and a half, the car was ready to go!
The Automobile, September 17, 1914.
The Doble Detroit caused a splash at the 1917 New York Auto Show. There is evidence that more than five thousand people have made a preliminary order for this car. However, the production "did not go". Abner said that the quality of steel and its lack (due to the First World War) played a bad role and, in fact, "killed" Doble-Detroit. At the same time, disagreements arise between the brothers, which ended only with the death of John in 1921.
After that, “Doble Steam Motors” was formed in California, where “Models“D”,“E”and“F”were born … But the most successful and massive Model“E”should be discussed separately. And that means - on "NM" there will be such an article.