A superb and rare photo of the Stanley Rocket car in 1906
after setting the Land speed record at
The Stanley
Brothers built their first steam-powered car in Watertown, Massachusetts in
1897. Within a decade, they created the 'Fastest Car in the World,' the Stanley
Rocket. F.E. Stanley fathered the project, completing the design, build and
test work in 1905. The Rocket made its public debut on Ormond Beach in January
1906.
The Stanley's chose Fred Marriott, a daredevil racer, to pilot their car. The
first day on the sand the car won the Dewar Trophy and set a record in the
one-mile steam championship. The next day he set a record in a five-mile open
race. On January 26th, Marriott set a one-kilometer record at 121.6 mph, the
first person to traverse two miles in less than a minute. Two hours later, he
upped it to 127.7, a record which lasted until 1910.
In 1907, the Stanley's returned with a more powerful Rocket. However, a
combination of poor beach conditions and a partial boycott thinned the
competition. Undaunted, the improved Rocket hit a top speed of 150 mph just
prior to hitting a depression in the sand which destroyed the car and sent its
boiler rolling into the surf. Marriott was injured but vowed to return. He did
not; the rules were changed to exclude short distance steam cars and the
Stanley Brothers decided the speeds were too risky for their fearless pilot.
Neither the brothers nor Fred Marriott returned to Ormond Beach again.
The photograph that the winner of this auction will receive is a very nice and very rare photo that reflects a wonderful era of automotive history in a wonderful way. This is your rare chance to own this photo, therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 8" x 11" (ca. 20 x 27 cm). It makes it perfectly suitable for framing.
No copyright expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well protected in PVC clear files and board backed envelopes.
They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace, restaurant, bar or club!
First come - first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any questions before the auction ends.