Michael Ware doesn't have a clue.... (update IV: Stephens Dog-cart..? )

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A journalist who probably has seen more mystery cars than most mortals is Michael Ware. Still there are photos which can only cause a frown with him. With a short 'desperate' note he sent over this sturdy runabout. Although we cannot say a thing about the maker, we can describe the most interesting features, hoping one or more of those perhaps will ring a bell with you. (please click the photo for more detail). Yes, it is a steamer with the exhaust pipe protruding through the 'sunroof'. Second, judging by the twin-fork steering set-up (with outside linkage around the steam engine) the builder possibly is a motorcycle maker. Then we have the remarkable flat spoked wheels! We always thought Bugatti was first with those on their GP cars.... Then at last we come to studded tub-like coachwork. Again looking at the front suspension, one tends to conclude this is a monocoque without chassis. All in all a most remarkable vehicle. Who can learn us more about it ? [email protected]

UPDATE III by Mark Clark:" I don't think it is a Serpollet - they had flash boilers and this one looks like a vertical fire tube type. The wheels are typical of British traction engine construction and certainly the background buildings look more British or American than French. American traction engines had round wheel spokes not flat so my guess is it is British in origin. However if you look at the picture of Bollee's 1878 La Mancelle in "Steam Cars 1770-1970" by Montague and Bird you will see exactly the same type of wheel - but Bollees had the boiler mounted at the rear of the vehicle. The moncoque definately has the constructional style of the rear end of a traction engine - what huge rivets! The driver has a nice roof to stop the cinders falling on his head."

UPDATE III by David Manson:"Mark Clark has made all the points I had in mind - except that the steering, despite the bicycle-like rake to the forks, is reminiscent of the Stephens Dog-Cart. And, unusually for a steam primitive, it's all very well thought out, down to the sold rubber tyres. Most early builders just cobbled an engine onto any old running gear and body."
UPDATE II by Kit Foster & MWW. Both saying this car most probably was built by the driver as shown, suggesting it is a one-off home-cooked steamer-special. Right ?
UPDATE by Dick Trenk: "Leon Serpollet in partnership with Peugeot, built three wheel steamers 1887-1890. In 1891 he built his first four wheel steamer and while I cannot locate a photo I am guessing the vehicle you are displaying may be a 1891-1892 Serpollet steam car. His steamers were quite well made and in 1902 his "Ocuf de Paques" was the first car in the world to make more than 75 miles per hour. He died in 1907 and his company disbanded shortly thereafter."

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