Classic Steamer! Renwal's 1/48 Stanley

[Faust]

When I was little, my uncle used to sit me on his lap and we’d look at car books. He had a lot of them, and he’d use them and models to teach me about cars, their parts and how they work. It’s not a surprise then, that I have more than a passing interest in cars, let alone model cars, eh?  We also used to go to car shows and museums a lot, and I used to get to see a lot of Brass Era cars. I always thought they were neat, but that they all looked kinda the same.

Well, except for one kind: the Stanley Steamer! Even I could recognize a Stanley in a field of other Brass Era cars, thanks to its unique shape. I’ve always thought they were cool, but never thought I’d find a kit of one. I mean, I know there are kits of them, but finding one has proven difficult.

However, I did manage to get my hands on an ancient Renwal 1/48 Stanley at a model show, and I thought it would be neat to take a look at it. Check out what’s in the box at the link below! If you’ve ever built one of these little Renwals, let me know how it went, too!

https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/renwal-1-48-1910-stanley-steamer-oob/

[peteski]

Pyro (and later Life-Like) had a 1:32 1911 Stanlay Steamer kit.  I have the Life-Like kit.

There is a restored 1:1 Stanley Steamer in the Shanklin Hall in Groton, MA (it also houses a Wurlitzer Theater Organ).  It resides in the back room where all the organ machinery is.  When you take the tour of the back room, you get to see the car.

[Motor City]

Adam,

Aurora made a Stanley Steamer in its Old Timers Series.  My brother got it for a gift and it was a pretty good kit.  Note that it's 1/16th scale.

OLD TIMERS Stanley Steamer, Aurora 573 (1961) (scalemates.com)

 

[Faust]

I'd love to get both of those kits! 

That's cool about the organ and a bonus Stanley just kinda thrown in!

[Brian Austin]

Stanley cars were built in my area.

Premier, Revell and Hudson Miniatures also offered kits of the Stanley.  Glenco reissued the small-scale series of brass-era cars originally produced by Ideal (ITC).  This included a Stanley in 1:50-something scale.

I have seen a movie (with organ) at the Shanklin hall, but don't recall seeing the Stanley there.

I did visit the Stanley museum way up in Kingfield, Maine several years back.  Those brothers pursued a variety of interests besides automobiles.

Edited September 18, 2023 by Brian Austin

[peteski]

On 9/17/2023 at 11:25 PM, Brian Austin said:

I have seen a movie (with organ) at the Shanklin hall, but don't recall seeing the Stanley there.

The car is disparaged in the back room, where the "guts" of the organ are. After the movie there is usually a tour of the back room offered, and that is when you get to see the car. If you did the tour and the car wasnt; there, it might have been on a loan, being serviced,  or something like that.

BTW, there is a silent movie being shown there this upcoming Sunday.  https://www.wurlitzerpops.org/

[Brian Austin]

I may well have seen the Stanley back in the '80s or so.  I grew up in a pipe organ family.  My father belonged to the local Theater Organ society and he was fond of mentioning the Shanklins, along with the Stanley. I probably met them then.  When I saw "Silent Movie" at the Hall last year or so, I didn't get to tour the "backstage" area.  It was crowded and I think my father just wanted to head home.  It was a long drive.  I did see a nifty boat-themed diorama there, though.

 

I just found this video clip of the Shanklin organ tour.  You can see the Stanley beginning at the 5:00 mark (and again at around 7:45).  It's not the greatest footage of the car as it's painted dark colors with dark upholstery.

 

Edited September 20, 2023 by Brian Austin