Thomson Surrey

Hi Folks,

I found this picture of a Thomson Steam Surrey -- circa about 1899 -- that was in the Wolfpen Automotive Museum. According to the Massachusetts Secretary of State, the Museum was chartered in 1941 and was dissolved in 2012. Does anyone know of the disposition of this vehicle, who might now possess it, and whether or not photos are available?

Regards,

Ken

Surprisingly advanced for the year! What an interesting car - let's hope ot turns up so we can hear more of it.
Mike

Hello Ken. I have just recently joined this forum . I noticed your post regarding the Elihu Thomson steam car. From the Wolfpen auto museum I am the owner of that car . The story of how I acquired is is a book in itself . I have tried to get information on it when it was owned by the Wofipen automotive museum but to no avail

Chris Sorensen

Hi Chris,
Welcome to the Forum.

Any chance you have photos you can post?

Hi Scott. We are away from home back in a couple of weeks so will post photos then. am presently working on the burner. It’s original burner is a bit like a garden sprinkler and I have not got it to work. otherwise it is all there and pretty much in line with the photo from the museum you posted

Chris

Chris I am originally from Massachusetts moved to Florida in 2005. Do you know how
The Wolfpen auto museum liquidated the cars. Was there an auction or did they sale off the cars one by one. Curious.

Rolly

Hi Chris,

I would have responded to your post earlier but I was out in an area without cell coverage during the holiday weekend.

The original reason for asking about the Thomson machine is that I have been writing a book on General Electric steam cars for Tom Kimmel to accompany other books such as the Yuba steam tractor, Baker, Scott-Newcomb, Winslow, Brooks, Delling and other makes. There is tons of technical literature surrounding the GE efforts since they apparently patented almost everything. The problem is that the history behind the cars is sort of sketchy and photographs are nearly non-existent; since GE didn't manufacture any of the vehicles, they received only superficial coverage in the press at that time. Tom owns one of the second generation GE wobbler engines, so that's one set of photos. (I know it is second generation since the engine possesses auxiliary exhaust valves in the cylinder heads, transforming it from a uniflow to a semi-uniflow as per their patents).

If there is any chance of obtaining information about the car, along with photos of the vehicle and/or power plant, I would be highly appreciative. If you are interested, I can send a rough copy of the book as it currently stands -- only asking that it not be shared since Tom is purchasing the rights.

Regards,

Ken


.

Hello Ken. I don’t seem to be able to attach photos so if you would like to send me your email I will send you photos which I took today. The history as best I know it is that an Australian business man Robert Homes a Court purchased it from the Wolfpen museum around late 1980. He died in 1990 and his collection was auctioned by Sotheby’s in Melbourne in 1992. Mr David Revelle who had a large collection of steam purchased it. David died a couple of years ago and have been fortunate to have acquired it. I have a 1903 Grout Stanhope and a 1901 Locomobile I am working on getting it steaming again. Look forward to making contact
Chris Sorensen

Hi Chris,

Photos need to be about a 1 megabyte maximum. Most cameras these days take potos 2mb or larger.
There are apps for phones that allow you to resize photos.
For Windows, look for "RIOT" (Radical Image Optimization Tool)

Hi Chris,

My sincerest thanks for the photos -- I had pretty much given up hope of finding a good depiction of a GE vehicle.

My e-mail is: kenatgm@aol.com

Warmest Regards,

Ken

Hi....playing with photos...not sure if this will work..cannot preview it... Chris

Yes that works - downloaded and opened with Firefox browser. Nice car

Mike

All files from this thread

File Name	File Size		Posted by	Date
1900thomsonsurreywolfpenmuseum.jpg	109.7 KB	open | download	frustrated	08/14/2021	Read message
Thomson	25.9 KB	open | download	Chris Sorensen	06/10/2022	Read message