UPDATE II: You may remember that back in May we discussed Sterand vs. Sternad and the fact that a vehicle called the Sterand made in 1902 was making the rounds on the internet, but that it was actually a Sternad from 1917…..
Well, this https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/657343822895942/ popped up on my FB feed yesterday. Listed as a 1902 Sterand in the ad (and available for $325k), I inserted myself into the discussion with my “expertise” only to learn that the seller has a title listing his vehicle as a 1902 Sterand and that his isn’t the 1917 version. Wait, what?
Moreover, if you compare the seller’s vehicle to the one in the postcard, you can see the seller’s vehicle has at least one difference: the seller’s vehicle has a cylinder part that doesn’t exist in the postcard version. Maybe someone else can better sort out the history behind these two almost identical vehicles.
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UPDATE: The correct name of this vehicle is Sternad not Sterand, built by Anton (Andrew) Frank Sternad in 1917. As Mark notes in the comments, there is more information on it here: http://coachbuilt.com/bui/s/sternad/sternad.htm
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Originally published May 5, 2023:
Merlin mentioned this vehicle (and article), called the Sterand Loco, in a Facebook post. Various sourced indicate it was built in 1902, but he felt it looked more like a 1920s build. I agree with him, that it is a cool car, but I am not steeped enough in early car history to know for sure when it might have been built.
After some internet searches, I found the engine was consistent with 1902 (a Rutenber 4 cylinder engine). However, after Googling and checking newspaper articles prior to 1920, I could not find what I felt was a definitive source for the date of the vehicle’s creation (no info on why it is called a Sterand or any promotion surrounding it’s inception). The most I could find was a postcard (from this website) that discussed what the article stated.
Still, it’s a cool car.
15.6 HP and can do 60 with all that weight? lol! I do love the Cow Catcher on front. That’s for trying to knock the Angus out of the way as you’re trying to reach 60 on the down hill farm road, the brakes having failed 30 MPH ago. Yeah, that’s a cool car especially for the RR buffs. Makes you wonder if it still exists somewhere. Have to keep our eye out on American Pickers.
Most cars had front brakes by mid ’20s (1924 for Buick for instance). This car has none.
The 2 speed trans comment is interesting. These planetary 2 speeds were all but gone by the mid teens.
The Model T Ford is the exception that had no front brakes and a 2 speed trans thru 1927.
Based on no front brakes and the tire sizes, I would place the chassis as late teens. The drivetrain early teens.
The engine is not all that uncommon. Assembled car builders that could not afford to design and build their own engine bought them from Rutenber, Buda, Continental etc.
The HCCA and AACA have What is it Sites where someone just might now everything about it if posted. Problem is many of the comments are just SWAGs.
Albeit interesting read and design to ponder, or to propose more “SWAGs”, I read the 1902 as associated to the “company referenced” and not necessarily the “build”. Also, Let’s keep in mind our beloved Willys productions were powered by L-Head engines of the 30’s still used by Willys until 1963 via the DJ3As and who knows how long for “industrial/custom builds”??? This might be the earliest form of a “rat rod” I’ve ever seen… lol. The MPH , weight, and “lack of brake power” is a scary thought, but still applies to trains today.
https://access.newspaperarchive.com/us/illinois/earlville/earlville-leader/1918/10-24/page-7/
Here is a reference to the Chicago Solder Co in 1918. So could this have been an experimental vehicle associated with WWI? or creative project after war with surplus?
Thanks for the insights guys! I went down some interesting research paths while trying to chase more information about this, especially related to the engine creator. So, I had hoped to create a longer post.
Unfortunately, some hand pain has been limiting my ability to type a bunch (Ugghhh). The good news is that it seems to be slowly subsiding.
– Dave
There is an article about this car in my 1982 copy of The Standard Catalog of American Cars. Its designer was one AF Sternad – note the spelling, something others have obviously not checked – who was a design engineer at Chicago Solder Co. in relation to the mention of 15.6 hp, that is the NACC (sane as RAC) rated power – based on the cylinder bore. A typical 15.6 hp engine would be around 180-200 cid. See more here – http://coachbuilt.com/bui/s/sternad/sternad.htm
Thanks Mark. I will make corrections. I just saw what I believe to be your post on the AACA FB site, too!
– Dave
This is not the Sternad! The Sternad was in my famaly back in the 1930,1940 and early 1950. I have post card, not the same sa shown!