Steam-driven cars

[Gary Perkinson]

I was looking through the 2004 record book, and I noticed that the record in "S/S" is held by a car called the "Steamin' Demon," which ran 145.605 in 1985. Was that indeed a steam-driven car? Have other steam-driven cars run at Bonneville over the years?    
 
 Just curious--
 
 Gary

[Glen]

Gary
 That was the last one to run. It blew out a couple of windows during the run and never returned to the salt. I don't know of any other attempts.
 Glen

[Gary Perkinson]

Glen--
 
 Wow, that's pretty interesting--it kind of makes me want to bone up on my steam-engine knowledge, which currently = 0. Kind of a neat record to go after....
 
 Gary

[Gary Perkinson]

Well, speak of the devil...or demon: The "Steamin' Demon" is currently on display until March 21, 2005 at the National Automobile Museum in Reno, as part of their "Vintage Racers: Fast & Furious" exhibit. Maybe some of you Left Coasters can get out to see it....
 
 Gary

[Gary Perkinson]

Okay, last post, I promise....
 
 Here's a one-page summary of the '85 steam car's efforts. I found it on the website of a British team that's trying to break the record--in fact they're trying to go 200 mph. Their car looks pretty sharp....
 
 http://www.steamcar.co.uk/Challenge/index.htm
 
 Gary

[guttley782]

Try looking at the British Steam Car Challenge, which has been designed by Glynne Bowsher, of Thrust 2 and Thrust SSC fame.  They launched the project last month in the UK. Sorry, you have already been there!  They have a supporters club so you can get details on the car and it's development. Gabriel (#782/783 motorcycle).