UPCOMING CARS FROM JAY'S GARAGE:
B-17 Flying Fortress Coming Oct. 13!
MainThe GarageThe CarsVideosPhotosArticlesGamesCommunityThe Tonight Show
1902 Serpolllet Biplace Course Type H
Previous
Next
1902 Serpolllet Biplace Course Type H | April 10, 2008
In 1896, Frenchman Leon Serpollet invented and perfected the flash boiler, which made steam a much more practical source of power for an automobile. Serpollet’s company, Gardner-Serpollet manufacturered steam-powered cars starting in the early 1900s.

Besides being an inventor and manufacturer, Leon Serpollet became the first driver of a non-electrically powered car to hold the Land Speed Record. Serpollet’s car called the Oeuf de Pâques (Easter Egg) reached a speed of 75.06 mph over the flying kilometer on the Promenade des Anglais at Nice, France on April 13, 1902.

Later in the year, Serpollet introduced this car, the Type H. A more reliable long distance runner, this car ran in the famous Paris to Madrid race where it averaged 51.5 mph.

The Serpollet company produced automobiles under the name Serpollet and Gardner-Serpollet until Serpollet’s death in 1907. Serpollet cars featured an oil-fired flash boiler to feed steam to a very advanced four-cylinder enclosed engine similar to the contemporary gas engines of the day. The engines included poppet valves and an enclosed crankcase.
Average Rating Rate It!
Your Email Friend's Email



Previous
Next