The renowned Stanley brothers were confirmed sportsmen, involved with horse and harness racing by the 1890s. Once they began manufacturing cars it was only natural that they competed with them. This culminated in setting a land speed record of 126.6 mph with a custom-designed steam racing car at Ormond, Florida, in 1906. In that same vein followed a sports model, the 20 horsepower Model H Gentleman’s Speedy Roadster, which went on sale that year. For 1907, an up-rated Semi-Racer received a 30 horsepower engine derived from the record-setting race car of 1906. Produced until 1910, 26 units Model K Semi-Racers were built in all.

More than a dozen exist today, but just two are “Cars of Record” in the Stanley Register, with full history from their time of manufacture. Most current Model Ks, of which this is an excellent example, have been fashioned from parts of other cars and with bodies and chassis built anew in wood, as the cars were originally constructed. Although not as prestigious as “Cars of Record”, these newer examples are well respected in the Stanley community, especially for on-road touring. Stanley owners, above all, love to drive their cars, and frequently value utility above strict historic accuracy. Safety upgrades, hydraulic brakes for example, are readily accepted for cars used in touring.

This Model K Stanley began its 21st Century journey as a project car of the late Bruce Green, in Cleveland, Tennessee, USA. Having amassed most of the parts needed, Mr Green passed away before making much progress on the task. His widow offered the package for sale in 2005. Upon purchase, the entire kit, including a 20 horsepower Stanley engine, running gear, body, and wings, was shipped to the purchaser in the UK. Accompanying the many parts was a new 30 horsepower boiler from Bourdon Boiler Works in Vermont, USA, the principal supplier to the present day Stanley community.

Upon arrival in the UK, the kit was sent to John Goold & Sons in Camerton, near Bath, the pre-eminent restorer and builder of Stanley steam cars in the United Kingdom. The assembly/restoration effort was completed in 2006 and the car was MoT-tested that December.

Stunning in red with gold accents, this Stanley Model K Semi-Racer looks and acts the part. The twin-bucket seats are upholstered in black buttoned leather. Instrumentation comprises a Stewart 60 mph speedometer, pressure gauges and a stem-wind clock, while a siren and whistle are operable from the driver’s seat. Lighting is of the period, brass gas head and tail lamps and a steering column-mounted lamp illuminating the dashboard instruments. As with all non-condensing Stanleys, the joy is in the driving; even passers-by are entertained by the trailing plume of condensation.

Assigned serial number 4065, a contemporaneous Stanley designation, the car was registered for the road in the UK. A stunning example of a much-coveted Stanley model, it is accompanied by an extensive history file for almost every update from its time in The Bryan Richmond-Dodd Collection.