1969 Steam Powered Chevelle - Built For General Motors

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  • Опубліковано 20 вер 2024
  • Here is a walk around with description of the one and only 1969 Chevelle powered by a steam engine. The car was built by Bill Besler for GM's Research Laboratories in 1969. It was an experiment aimed at finding a cleaner burning engine. At one time the car ran: It has over 5,000 miles on its odometer. The project was eventually scrapped and now the car is in the collection of Tom Kimmel. For more details see my article: www.roadandtrac...
    www.lehtoslaw.com
    @stevelehto

КОМЕНТАРІ • 846

  • @batman1169
    @batman1169 4 роки тому +39

    They should fire it up and go for a ride like Leno Did!

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 4 роки тому

      It's doesn't run anymore.

    • @I8ITSK8N
      @I8ITSK8N 3 роки тому +1

      @@sandervanderkammen9230 damn man you’re a buzz kill.

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 3 роки тому +1

      @@I8ITSK8N I didn't kill the SE-124... General Motors dropped this turd like a bad habit.

  • @juniorthird7952
    @juniorthird7952 2 роки тому +67

    With gas prices so high it's time to mass produce these again.

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 2 роки тому +2

      That would be a really dumb idea... steam cars have been obsolete for over a century because they are gas guzzlers.

    • @lawrencestanley8989
      @lawrencestanley8989 2 роки тому +29

      @@sandervanderkammen9230
      You don't have to use gasoline or kerosene to power a steam car... Think sustainability; you could run one of these off of fuel pellets made from compressed bamboo, just like your backyard grill. No, it wouldn't be as quick starting, but if someone cherishes sustainability and is willing to sacrifice some convenience, it is entirely doable. Steam cars have been powered by any number of different fuels in the past from solid combustibles to propane, alcohol, kerosene, you name it.
      Steam cars are an AMAZINGLY good option for the future of transportation.

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 2 роки тому +2

      @@lawrencestanley8989 But why use steam? Steam is not energy efficient and has a much larger carbon footprint compared to ICEs.
      The amount of energy required to convert everything from fossil fuel to wood fuel would turn the entire planet into a barren, treeless wasteland in less than 18 months.
      Steam is definitely not the future..
      It wasn't the future 100 years ago either.

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 2 роки тому +5

      @@lawrencestanley8989 A much better solution is to convert wood into alcohols, esters or methane and burn them in Internal Combustion engines that are up to 500% more energy efficient and have much smaller more sustainable carbon footprints.

    • @lawrencestanley8989
      @lawrencestanley8989 2 роки тому +9

      @@sandervanderkammen9230
      That's true but for one problem, it takes a lot of energy on the front end to heat up the wash to distill out the alcohol.

  • @seana806
    @seana806 4 роки тому +21

    The way this steam generator works on this car is pretty much like the Doble steam cars Jay Leno has. In a way it’s a modernized Doble steam car.

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 4 роки тому +3

      Because it is a Doble boiler.. The Bessler brother bought the rights and spare parts when Doble went bankrupt in 1931.

    • @I8ITSK8N
      @I8ITSK8N 3 роки тому +4

      @@sandervanderkammen9230 did you literally reply to every single person on this comment section? 🤣🤣🤣

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 3 роки тому +1

      @@I8ITSK8N Well, that is certainly _the pot calling the kettle black..._

    • @REVY01
      @REVY01 Рік тому

      @@I8ITSK8N ikr this guy is so pathetic he still hasn't let it go 🤣🤣🤣, he still responding to people even to this day and it's been well over a year what a loser LOOOOOL.

  • @kebman
    @kebman 5 років тому +22

    I saw Jay Leno's steam powered cars, and they run pretty well. They're fast too! Well, for a 20's car. And they're very silent. I just wonder how a steam powered car would look and sound like with new technology...

    • @lobmin
      @lobmin 4 роки тому +6

      I imagine _maybe_ we could replace kerosene with electricity. I would rather drive that than a Tesla.

    • @kebman
      @kebman 4 роки тому +2

      @@lobmin Just use _clean coal._ Lololol! But yeah, I hear ya.

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 4 роки тому

      As a practical steam car the SE-124 was a rather embarrassing failure. The high cost and low efficiency prevents any serious interest in a new steam cars today.

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 4 роки тому

      @@lobmin why would you build an electric steam car?

    • @lobmin
      @lobmin 4 роки тому +2

      @@sandervanderkammen9230 To have a non-polluting steam car, by eliminating kerosene burning. Also because it's just cool.

  • @WikterRor2807
    @WikterRor2807 4 роки тому +28

    Hahah donates a car to a museum, museum sells it

  • @PunchyAirplane
    @PunchyAirplane 7 років тому +19

    i really want to hear this thing run

  • @kenweis2291
    @kenweis2291 2 роки тому +14

    Whoever made this was a genius
    Closed steam system

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 2 роки тому

      More like a crook...

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 2 роки тому

      The GM SE-224 was an epic failure and is widely considered to be a scam to profit from Federal grant money during the OPEC oil crisis.
      The car was very unreliable and performed horribly against ICE cars available at the time.

  • @MrSethamessiah
    @MrSethamessiah 4 роки тому +19

    He should sell it to Jay Leno. It would be a service to the car and the world.

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 4 роки тому +2

      This car is unfortunately not up to the standards of a collection the likes of Jay Leno's.

    • @MrSethamessiah
      @MrSethamessiah 4 роки тому +8

      They will restore it. This right up Jay's alley.

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 4 роки тому +3

      @@MrSethamessiah The SE-124 was an embarrassing failure and is the penultimate in post-1915 steam car design and execution.
      Even if fully restored the SE-124 is not the caliber of vehicle worthy of Jays magnificent collection.

    • @NudelKungen.
      @NudelKungen. 4 роки тому +7

      @@sandervanderkammen9230 Jay and hes team has upgraded many steam cars with new innovation while keeping the original look, they could do this with this one to

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 4 роки тому

      @@NudelKungen. Why? There are so many much more worthy examples of steam cars that are in need of restoration but are not because of the extreme cost involved. The SE-124 would be a waste of time and money to restore.

  • @angryyankee9184
    @angryyankee9184 7 років тому +7

    I read about this.. never saw pictures. Pontiac also made a prototype Grand Prix. It also occurred to me that all that insulating wrap on the pipes is probably filled with asbestos....

    • @stevelehto
      @stevelehto  7 років тому

      +Angry Yankee I wonder about that. I think we knew about asbestos being bad by then.

    • @angryyankee9184
      @angryyankee9184 7 років тому +5

      Steve Lehto Oh yes. But the EPA didn't ban Sprayed (specifically) Asbestos until 1973, and didn't come up with phase out legislation until 1989. Still a cool car. As for the Pontiac it was badged the SE101 and, no surprise, evidently its in Jay Leno's garage..

  • @rustybrowneye
    @rustybrowneye 7 років тому +34

    i have a chrysler thats steam powerd, well not really it just burns alot of antifreeze cause its a piece of shit

  • @miniz33
    @miniz33 5 років тому +16

    this should be with jay leno so his steam guys can restore and drive it

    • @stevelehto
      @stevelehto  5 років тому +12

      The owner of this car is friends with Jay. He's seen it.

    • @DarxusC
      @DarxusC 5 років тому +3

      I think it's okay to let some other people have some of the awesome cars.

  • @knikula
    @knikula 7 років тому +3

    you don't see many 4 door Chevelles around anymore.... like to see/hear that guy run...

  • @youhustlinmeboi5335
    @youhustlinmeboi5335 4 роки тому +20

    Oh god the engine doesn't run ..........if your waiting for him to kick it off it doesn't run. Fkn blue ballin me

    • @orionti6215
      @orionti6215 4 роки тому

      Ekhem... Diesel Cold start in Canada? :)

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 4 роки тому

      The ar ran poorly when new and was in storage for decades.

    • @I8ITSK8N
      @I8ITSK8N 3 роки тому +1

      @@sandervanderkammen9230 jeez...

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 3 роки тому

      @@I8ITSK8N Are you not familiar with the history of the SE-124???
      It was a scandal... a con job.

  • @SArtisto1
    @SArtisto1 2 роки тому +11

    I want to see steam make a comeback. With modern technology I'm sure one can be made more efficient then what was made

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 2 роки тому +3

      That is never going to happen, steam cars are obsolete for some very important reasons related to the _Laws of Thermodynamics_ no amount of technology can change the fact that steam engines are inherently very inefficient.
      Internal combustion engines have always been superior to steam...
      The steam car industry was wiped out after the introduction of the electric starter for internal combustion engines in 1915, completely eliminating the only advantage steam cars had.

    • @GoldMike_
      @GoldMike_ 2 роки тому +5

      A hope I have is that once electric cars become the norm and if we start charging cars as they drive through magnetic induction built into roads or something then you could make a steam powered car that just uses that electricity to heat the water instead of an open flame which with the addition of a modernized condenser could make a nearly completely closed cycle engine. Only needing water and oil top ups. If I ever get the time and money I plan to build my own steam powered car cause I'd love to have one more than any other car.

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 2 роки тому +1

      @@GoldMike_ *Why would anyone use electricity to heat water into Steam???*
      I guess you didn't think that idea through yet?

    • @GoldMike_
      @GoldMike_ 2 роки тому +3

      @@sandervanderkammen9230 it would be a thing for enthusiasts. People who want to have a steam car but fuel becomes too expensive or not legal to burn fuels in cars anymore. Its a work around to use steam in a fully electronic world.

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 2 роки тому +1

      @@GoldMike_ Its obvious that you lack any formal education or professional experience in automotive engineering...
      No legitimate engineer or or car designer would ever use electricity to boil water in a steam car, it makes absolutely no logical sense.
      You don't seem to have the slightest clue why.

  • @turboslag
    @turboslag 7 років тому +8

    GM did some extensive research into steam power and were close to a production vehicle. The power numbers were very impressive, from memory, something like 1100 Lb Ft from almost zero RPM!! The 'boiler' was not a boiler as such but a flash steam generator. So it was quick to heat up and there was only a relatively small amount of water in circulation. They experimented with kerosene and LPG as a fuel source and the start up procedure was automated, so no stoking or boiler lighting!! Ultimately the problem was efficiency, it is impossible to make an external combustion engine as efficient as an ICE.

    • @rich1051414
      @rich1051414 7 років тому

      Too many steps of separation between the fuel and power delivery.

    • @Novusod
      @Novusod 7 років тому +2

      There were plans in the 60s to also build thorium powered cars. Thorium is radioactive and doesn't actually burn. It just gets really hot. The burning hot thorium would be hot enough to make steam. In theory a thorium powered car would only have to be refueled once a decade. The problem is it never worked quite right and then the public soured on the idea of nuclear powered cars. Just way too dangerous.

    • @turboslag
      @turboslag 7 років тому

      Yeah, there was a whole lot of nuclear powered experimenting going on in the 60's! Nuclear artillery, aircraft (!!), railway locomotives, ships, even home reactors for heating and hot water!

    • @rich1051414
      @rich1051414 7 років тому

      Steam power, regardless of the means of generation, will not work as a viable vehicle if the steam itself is being used to power the drive train. Water is too reactive(it is called the universal solvent), too hard to contain, and too complicated to control direct power delivery reliably and with good response.
      However, a steam generator charging batteries, with electric engines, could work.
      I feel this is the direction something like this would go in if it was revisited today.

    • @louf7178
      @louf7178 7 років тому +1

      turboslag Thanks for the heads up on the not-a-boiler. It also answers the issue of modulating (?) the steam. It would be interesting to know how this cheaper fuel would pan out. One might think "just take out the steam part, and make a better fuel engine." Oh well.

  • @valeriyreiter4199
    @valeriyreiter4199 4 роки тому +6

    Love to see it running

  • @jaylehmanvlogs8323
    @jaylehmanvlogs8323 7 років тому +11

    THIS NEEDS TO BE ON JAY LENO'S GARAGE. JAY'S CREW CAN FIX IT.

  • @devonriley110
    @devonriley110 7 років тому +3

    Man, I wish I could buy one.

    • @stevelehto
      @stevelehto  7 років тому +1

      +Devon Riley build one!

    • @devonriley110
      @devonriley110 7 років тому +1

      Steve Lehto Wish I could, on an Army salary I can't even afford the car!

    • @jpmastertech
      @jpmastertech 7 років тому +4

      Steve Lehto
      build one?!..ok how about blueprints....I'll make one!

    • @theeoddments960
      @theeoddments960 4 роки тому

      Devon Riley I just wish I could buy a 69 chevelle new lmao

  • @KrazeeCain
    @KrazeeCain 7 років тому +12

    Dude Jay Leno would be ALL over this.

    • @stevelehto
      @stevelehto  7 років тому

      +KrazeeCain I know. Jay and Tom have spoken many times about steam.

  • @VideosByAl
    @VideosByAl 7 років тому +2

    Going for a ride would be a thrilling.

  • @MrTruth111
    @MrTruth111 5 років тому +7

    Really nice, donate it to a museum, and then they sell it on...

  • @615AL
    @615AL 2 місяці тому +4

    Steam could have been the future, but it could go a 1000 or more miles on water, so no big oil making money off you every 300 miles. You know they can make a car or truck get well over a 100 miles per gallon but big oil will not allow it.

    • @shubhcod887
      @shubhcod887 Місяць тому +1

      So true 😢

    • @Righteousone18
      @Righteousone18 20 днів тому

      Corporate greed has ruined everything. A damn shame

    • @Miss-Stephanie-Night
      @Miss-Stephanie-Night 17 днів тому

      it still need oil, gas, kerosine to burn, and according to those that own steam cars, they dont go that far on fuel, so i think big oil whould not care much...

    • @Miss-Stephanie-Night
      @Miss-Stephanie-Night 17 днів тому

      that said ... i want steam cars to make a comeback. and i am gonna build one when i get a garage.

  • @jamesmcewen9536
    @jamesmcewen9536 7 років тому +3

    Wow! I'd love to see a video when it's running

  • @griplimit261
    @griplimit261 7 років тому +4

    pretty cool car, but how does it reintroduce the condensed water back into a pressurized system without taking equal amounts of energy to pump it back in?

    • @brianargo4595
      @brianargo4595 7 років тому

      Grip Limit Standard steam engines pump water into a pressurized boiler all the time, this is simply pumping it back into a holding vessel. Water is very nearly incompressible, steam and water vapour very much are, so even if the return tank were steam pressurized, takes very little comparable energy to raise liquid water to a higher pressure.

    • @MiG21aholic
      @MiG21aholic 7 років тому

      Look up steam injectors and feedwater pumps.

  • @GTFORDMAN
    @GTFORDMAN 7 років тому +7

    Jay Leno should add this to his collection!

  • @cheikiang1714
    @cheikiang1714 4 роки тому +12

    Thanks to Kimmel for holding onto what could have changed the world. Car didn't deserve GM's typical response to innovation, and getting dumped out of museums and celebrity garages for not looking like a garage queen.

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 4 роки тому

      The car's very disappointing performance in testing was a major embarrassment for GM... they would prefer that this failure was completely forgotten.

    • @lobmin
      @lobmin 4 роки тому +2

      @@sandervanderkammen9230 How was it "very disappointing"? Where have you heard that?

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 4 роки тому +1

      @@lobmin The EPA extensively tested both the GM SE-101 and SE-124 steam cars and published the test results in a report in May 1971. Both cars failed to meet the upcoming emissions and fuel economy regulations.

    • @lobmin
      @lobmin 4 роки тому

      @@sandervanderkammen9230 What a bummer.

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 4 роки тому +1

      @@lobmin The SE-124 averaged 6.5 mpg and the SE-101 4mpg. Both were gross polluters.

  • @darkheartkain
    @darkheartkain 4 роки тому +22

    Jay Leno needs this car

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 4 роки тому +2

      This pile of junk is not worthy of Jay's fine collection.

    • @ronblack7870
      @ronblack7870 3 роки тому +4

      jay would make it great and you could see him driving it on his website.if it really loses no water that would be a great improvement over his doble.

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 3 роки тому

      @@ronblack7870 This car is inferior to Jay's Dobles and was a complete failure as a steam car.

    • @speedlover7362
      @speedlover7362 3 роки тому +5

      @@sandervanderkammen9230 go to hell

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 3 роки тому

      @@speedlover7362 The GM SE-124 was a complete and utter failure.

  • @realvanman
    @realvanman 7 років тому +2

    That is a boiler. Sure, it's not a conventional fire tube boiler like the Stanley Steamer or a locomotive had, it's a Flash Steam Boiler. But a boiler nevertheless. :)

    • @stevelehto
      @stevelehto  7 років тому +4

      +realvanman except that the steam folks don't call it that. They call it a steam generator as a term of art to indicate it is not simply a big container full of water.

  • @KevinSterns
    @KevinSterns 6 років тому +7

    I'm holding out for a nuclear-steam-powered Herkimer Battle Jitney. I hear they get great mileage.

  • @Toasterloaf
    @Toasterloaf 2 роки тому +8

    Could you theoretically build an electric ignition to start the car up?

    • @0rphros
      @0rphros 2 роки тому +1

      Yes

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 2 роки тому +2

      The Doble boiler had electric ignition in 1925, Besler brothers bought the boiler design from Doble when he went bankrupt in 1931.

  • @Deftonesdsm
    @Deftonesdsm 7 років тому +19

    jay leno needs this

  • @JimmysTractor
    @JimmysTractor 5 років тому +3

    My favorite so far! Please make more like this! Love your law videos, but this could be your calling! Excellence!

  • @kevp9601
    @kevp9601 4 роки тому +8

    That Steam Car is Super Dope! :-D

  • @larryputman6660
    @larryputman6660 7 років тому +2

    I'd love to see more of this collection.

  • @fixinggrace
    @fixinggrace 7 років тому +3

    Awesome car, and I love your channel.

  • @LordPhobos6502
    @LordPhobos6502 7 років тому +4

    I wanna see her on the road!
    Also curious to know the fuel mileage :)

  • @theprogrammer32
    @theprogrammer32 6 років тому +11

    well no wonder they gave up on it, they just cannibalized a v8 for the cylinders.
    I bet if you actually dropped a from-scratch steam engine into it it would be great.

    • @rich_edwards79
      @rich_edwards79 5 років тому +1

      Dr. Emmett Brown. "Marty! It runs on Steam!"

    • @theeoddments960
      @theeoddments960 4 роки тому

      Block0fWood or use the actual four cylinder they had at the time, the 153. Idk why they didn’t use it, it may be a non cross flow head issue though.

  • @stoneyswolf
    @stoneyswolf 7 років тому +4

    just imagine getting into an accident with that steam under pressure.

    • @stevelehto
      @stevelehto  7 років тому +10

      +CIA Assassin wouldn't be any worse than a regular accident that busts a radiator.

    • @0101-s7v
      @0101-s7v 7 років тому +4

      Steve Lehto
      Right. It's not like there'd be an explosion from runaway pressure, like they had in the 1800's. And the car has a blow-off valve for that, anyway.

  • @lucky-rowe2623
    @lucky-rowe2623 Рік тому +11

    Trying to find someone on youtube that has made a modern steam car/truck. Can someone share the link?

    • @survivalistor6195
      @survivalistor6195 Рік тому

      also looking, tribute like.

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 Рік тому

      Steam cars are obsolete technology, no legitimate engineer or company would have any interest in building a new one

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 Рік тому

      @@survivalistor6195 if you really want to own a steam car you best option is to buy an old one, no one makes these relics anymore

    • @unitytwins6652
      @unitytwins6652 Рік тому +1

      @@sandervanderkammen9230 I would be interested, though our company just started, and it would be more of a marketable prototype to sell conversion kits for older gm, Chrysler, and ford small block engines for them to be able to be converted to efficiently, safely, and reliably run off steam. Though more than likely for liability reasons would not be manufacturing boilers for production in the next decade or two if ever. I think in the end the op's post was more of relating to something more home-engineered proof of concept like there is with modern day wood gasification to run vehicles you can find all sorts of videos online about that but only a handful of people that share the interest of what more "modern" steam boilers and engines have to offer.

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 Рік тому +1

      @@unitytwins6652 The last legitimate steam car company went bankrupt in 1926, since then the steam car has been the sole domain of crooks and crackpots.

  • @ItsRiiiick
    @ItsRiiiick 3 роки тому +9

    How many times did Leno try buying it I wonder 🤔

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 2 роки тому

      Jay wouldn't touch this heap of junk...

    • @ItsRiiiick
      @ItsRiiiick 2 роки тому +2

      @@sandervanderkammen9230 You obviously know very little about Leno then.

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 2 роки тому

      @@ItsRiiiick I am very familiar with Jay Leno's collection and this pile of junk is certainly not up to his high standards and good taste.
      Jay has an excellent selection of some of the most desirable collectable automobiles and technically or historically significant vehicles.
      This does not meet any of those standards.

  • @SelectCircle
    @SelectCircle 2 місяці тому +1

    With the tech we got now - I'm sure we can make a viable steam car.

  • @safeguardprime5914
    @safeguardprime5914 4 роки тому +7

    I'm looking forward to more info about this I'm... Well attempting to create my own steamcar

    • @safeguardprime5914
      @safeguardprime5914 4 роки тому

      @A heart named Lee Perhaps, though the one problem about steam cars is steam pressure and their issue of exploding sometimes, you'd probably need a degree in engineering and have some years with a company that restores steam locomotives for a more than basic understanding to make an effective steamcar

    • @safeguardprime5914
      @safeguardprime5914 4 роки тому

      @A heart named Lee Ahhh I see well currently I would suggest if you want an easy to work with engine that's fuel efficient, a Mitsubishi G2 engine would work well

    • @safeguardprime5914
      @safeguardprime5914 4 роки тому

      @A heart named Lee it's a bold and honestly interesting way to go, I wish could still pursue it currently but... I would suggest you look at steam cars of the 60s there are quite a few vehicles to research that are rather effective

    • @safeguardprime5914
      @safeguardprime5914 4 роки тому

      @A heart named Lee only people I can think of are people who repair and restore steam locomotives, there are also live steam modellers who make actual working miniature steam locomotives and possibly the Stanley steamcar clubs if any exist aside from that basic research and tinkering with a small easy to manipulate motor

    • @safeguardprime5914
      @safeguardprime5914 4 роки тому

      @A heart named Lee Again I own a car with a Mitsubishi G2 engine and it's a nice little reliable engine but you may want to use a very durable engine like a Slant six and then kind of build a car around it, you can make a Ford shoebox or a 65 mustang from replica parts completely

  • @NobodyQuiteLikeMe
    @NobodyQuiteLikeMe 2 роки тому +8

    I am really surprised Leno doesn't own this

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 2 роки тому

      Why? This pile of junk is an embarrassment to steam cars

    • @ItsRiiiick
      @ItsRiiiick 2 роки тому +2

      I said the same thing, then ☝️ this person ☝️said "Jay wouldn't touch this heap of junk". They also have over 120 comments on this channel alone. 👏👏

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 2 роки тому

      @@ItsRiiiick Jay Leno has some excellent examples of steam cars... This is certainly not a fine example of anything other than a desperate attempt and poor engineering, shoddy car building and shady business dealing... not worthy of the quality or excellent taste of Leno's collection.

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 2 роки тому

      @@ItsRiiiick *THE TRUTH BEARS REPEATING...*

    • @timothykeith1367
      @timothykeith1367 2 роки тому

      @@sandervanderkammen9230 Leno has a 1925 Doble steam car. Abner Doble's engineering is the basis of this GM steam car. The Doble was a very expensive vehicle, costing $20,000 when a Model T was $260.

  • @TheRubtastic
    @TheRubtastic 7 років тому +2

    Good video. id sure like to know more specifics about just how this power plant operates.

  • @gwenking7629
    @gwenking7629 7 років тому +7

    Sweet, a steampunk car :)

  • @scootergeorge9576
    @scootergeorge9576 7 років тому +5

    Looks interesting. Detail would be better if some sort of video light were used. What does it need to get back on the road?

    • @stevelehto
      @stevelehto  7 років тому +1

      +Scooter George engine needs to be gone through. Hasn't run in a decade or so.

    • @scootergeorge9576
      @scootergeorge9576 7 років тому +1

      I own q 1965 Ford Mustang. 289 engine was tired. Starting to smoke. Stuck it in the garage. Moved. Trailered it to the new place. Stuck it in the garage. After a new battery and some gasoline it started. Transmission was low on fluid. Seals dry. Added fluid and drove it around the block.
      I would try starting your rig before tearing into it.

    • @tanker9987
      @tanker9987 7 років тому

      Your Mustang would probably have a lot better compression if you hadn't just started it after 10 years of sitting idle.
      Not to mention you took the risk of old oil becoming lumpy and blocking the crankshaft oil feeds...
      You really should be store vehicles dry...

    • @scootergeorge9576
      @scootergeorge9576 7 років тому

      Knowing as I did, that I wouldn't be driving the Mustang for a while, I changed the oil so it did not sit with dirty, possibly acidic oil in it. Let it idle 5 or 10 minutes to circulate clean oil. That was the extent of the preservation though. Did not anticipate it sitting 10 years either. But the engine was smoking then and was not noticeably worse after.

    • @cyclone19692000
      @cyclone19692000 7 років тому

      would be nice to see it run BUT your Mustang would sputter fart and throw oil were as a steam engine is a bomb waiting to happen any damage rust and corrosion to that boiler and boom not saying that is the prob but yeah also a lot of fiddly bits in there could just be a real awkward part we will just have to hope they get it sorted and we can see it run would be nice

  • @failranch9542
    @failranch9542 Рік тому +11

    Not an SS but a Ssssssssssss

  • @Brad772006
    @Brad772006 7 років тому +2

    That is too cool. Enjoyed your vid, entertaining with some good info. I have just briefly heard about the steam projects from years ago. never seen under the hood of one of the prototypes before.

  • @toughmanrandysavage3077
    @toughmanrandysavage3077 4 роки тому +8

    if somebody donated a car to you you should be ashamed of your self for selling it. he could have sold it him self he wanted people to enjoy it now it's just in some ass holes private collection...

  • @hereb4theend
    @hereb4theend 3 роки тому +10

    Hybrid steam cars are the future.

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 3 роки тому

      No they are not, steam cars are an obsolete technology that's makes absolutely no sense today...

    • @hereb4theend
      @hereb4theend 3 роки тому

      @@sandervanderkammen9230 They have zero pollution, can go for miles and make loads of torque. Coupled with an electric motor it would have zero drawbacks.

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 3 роки тому +1

      @@hereb4theend except for the horrible energy efficiency of steam... that is the fatal flaw and the reason why steam-electric vehicles do not exist.

    • @JW-bx6ig
      @JW-bx6ig 3 роки тому

      @@sandervanderkammen9230 what do you mean horrible energy efficiency?

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 3 роки тому

      @@JW-bx6ig You didn't know that internal combustion engines and electric motors are more energy efficient?

  • @ncplantdoctor
    @ncplantdoctor 7 років тому +5

    If that is a lossless system, then I guess there is no steam whistle. Too bad.

  • @hendo337
    @hendo337 7 років тому +10

    I still think with modern microprocessors, electronics, alloys, insulators, ect. Steam could be a very fuel efficient power source in a vehicle. Rather than wasting heat out the exhaust nearly every btu generated would be used to generate motive force. Perhaps a plug in Hybrid with batteries large enough for trips so short that for g the steam engine wouldn't be the most efficient and then the steam for long trips and operating periods? Makes more sense to me than hydrogen, that's for damn sure.

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 8 місяців тому

      Your comment reveals someone who has no formal education or professional experience in automotive development..

  • @fastrace011
    @fastrace011 7 років тому +1

    Beautiful. GM also did a coal dust powered 1978 Olds 88. Look at the Olds Diesels also. They're neat also.

  • @JohnLeePedimore
    @JohnLeePedimore 7 років тому +1

    I think I remember seeing this at Harrah's Auto Collection when I was a kid back in the 70s.

  • @sinebar
    @sinebar 7 років тому +4

    OMG! that's pretty cool. I'm sure you're familiar with Jay Leno's Stanley Steamer I think its called? It's pretty awesome.

    • @stevelehto
      @stevelehto  7 років тому +4

      I've seen it in person. Jay once gave me a ride in another steam car of his - the 1908 White steam car. It was a lot of fun.

    • @sinebar
      @sinebar 7 років тому +2

      Oh wow! that must have been a blast. Good for you.

    • @dlwatib
      @dlwatib 7 років тому

      Jay has the Stanley Steamer, a White, and two Dobles. Maybe more, but I recall seeing videos on at least those.

    • @rustybrowneye
      @rustybrowneye 7 років тому

      Christine LaBeach its so cool, i can tell my your look of enthusiasm

  • @williambiggs2308
    @williambiggs2308 7 років тому +4

    That's pretty cool. Any chance to check out the Air Force's Stirling engine truck?

    • @stevelehto
      @stevelehto  7 років тому

      +William Biggs where is that located?

    • @williambiggs2308
      @williambiggs2308 7 років тому +1

      My best guess is Langley Air Force Base. Supposedly does not require oil changes, catalytic converter, or muffler.

    • @williambiggs2308
      @williambiggs2308 7 років тому +1

      My best guess is Langley Air Force Base. Supposedly does not require oil changes, catalytic converter, or muffler.

    • @compu85
      @compu85 7 років тому +1

      I saw the video of that Dodge truck from when it was new. Nice to know it's still around.

  • @InvincibleExtremes
    @InvincibleExtremes 7 років тому +2

    I love it. really want to see it run

  • @watchmewrench9462
    @watchmewrench9462 7 років тому +7

    This is so awesome! Please do a video of this car running if you get a chance. I would be curious what kind of power it produces.

  • @MegaTmarshall
    @MegaTmarshall 7 років тому +4

    Interesting concept but I would hate to be scalded in a bad car accident. btw How much kerosene do you have to burn to travel 100 miles?

    • @65sgboogieman8
      @65sgboogieman8 6 років тому

      You caught me, hands up for the gestapo!

  • @justinbryan595
    @justinbryan595 2 роки тому +3

    Very cool Steve!

  • @trailerparksupercars7180
    @trailerparksupercars7180 9 місяців тому +1

    I wonder if this car is still around it's pretty cool

  • @gerritduplessis7122
    @gerritduplessis7122 2 роки тому +2

    THANK YOU! FANTASTIC! GREATLY APPRECIATED!

  • @markmichlewicz5141
    @markmichlewicz5141 4 роки тому +5

    Love the stanley steemer.but this is even neater than that.

  • @Theover4000
    @Theover4000 4 роки тому +3

    Beautiful machine, love the 69 chevelle.

  • @GEAUXFRUGAL
    @GEAUXFRUGAL 4 роки тому +7

    Neat you could boil eggs on the road. Steam veggies and fish 👌.

  • @SethBergile
    @SethBergile 4 роки тому +10

    Jay Leno needs to see this car!!

  • @popuptoaster
    @popuptoaster 7 років тому +4

    Based on the Doble steam car by the looks of it, I think Jay Leno has a couple that he had to do a fair amount of work on to get running, he might know an expert or two.

    • @stevelehto
      @stevelehto  7 років тому +5

      Yes, Tom Kimmel is an expert. He and Jay are friends.

  • @michaelkupchik3974
    @michaelkupchik3974 11 місяців тому +1

    I saw this car at the Chicago auto show at old McCormick place back in 1969 maybe - I was 11 or 12 years old at the time.

  • @myroadtours6147
    @myroadtours6147 7 років тому +2

    Fascinating! I never knew!

  • @westhouse4641
    @westhouse4641 7 років тому +6

    so can I assume overheating would never be an issue? lol

    • @gizzymoee
      @gizzymoee 7 років тому

      West House Boilers can build too much pressure and explode unfortunately :/.

    • @jamest.5001
      @jamest.5001 7 років тому +2

      gizzymoee
      this car doesn't have a boiler. like most think of. it only heats a very small amount of water. so there isn't hardly a chance of explosion. and if there was. it would be very small. like a hose blowing off.

  • @bubbadog9179
    @bubbadog9179 7 років тому +7

    Kelso was right man. A car that runs on water

  • @hulado
    @hulado 5 років тому +4

    i wonder if the stroke of the pistons was regulated to give a triple expansion economy feature to the engine?

    • @electric6877
      @electric6877 5 років тому +2

      I know some people don't care about climate change, but think about this! This could be the solution! And if we add further technology like cylinder deactivation, electric battery pack to heat up at startup, a beefy alternator. This is definitely possible

  • @vasileseaman5872
    @vasileseaman5872 4 місяці тому +3

    I would buy a modern steam car, efficiency is not everyone's cup of tea.

  • @davidgillettuk9638
    @davidgillettuk9638 5 років тому +1

    What a gorgeous car, never seen one before ( I'm talking about the car design not the engine).
    Thanks for posting.

    • @dremwolf5419
      @dremwolf5419 5 років тому

      Chevelles in their heyday were assume cars.

    • @theeoddments960
      @theeoddments960 4 роки тому

      David Gillett UK you’ve never seen a chevelle? Where do you live on mars lol

  • @timothykeith1367
    @timothykeith1367 2 роки тому +3

    It was based on designs by Abner Doble, who died in 1961.

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 2 роки тому

      Abner Doble went bankrupt in 1932... he inherited millions of dollars but died penniless... he squandered his fortune on obsolete steam technology.

    • @timothykeith1367
      @timothykeith1367 2 роки тому +3

      @@sandervanderkammen9230 Studebaker also went into receivership in 1933 - not exactly unusual for the early 1930s

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 2 роки тому

      @@timothykeith1367 There was once over 50 steam car companies in America, Doble was the very last.
      They all went bankrupt or switched to ICEs during the economic boom of the 1920s.

  • @CanadianBullFrog
    @CanadianBullFrog 4 роки тому +3

    How long does the gas last and how much to refill the gas to heat the water?

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 4 роки тому

      The SE-124 consume an average of 6.5 mpg in EPA fuel efficiency testing on kerosene fuel.

  • @raydornbush
    @raydornbush 7 років тому +10

    Man... I wonder what a steam car would be like now that were 48 yrs ahead.... I bet steam could be the future right along side electric powered vehicles... for sure.

    • @raydornbush
      @raydornbush 7 років тому +3

      Steam engines were not doomed from the start compared to ICE's and they still aren't... get outta here with your hate on the future of steam cars... it isn't welcome here idiot.

    • @raydornbush
      @raydornbush 7 років тому +3

      doktorbimmer So you think it's your opinion... that's it

    • @raydornbush
      @raydornbush 7 років тому +3

      doktorbimmer If you wanna keep giving your opinion I can keep telling you it's just an opinion and not fact. Look up cyclone power technologies for me would ya. Also look up the doble steam car from the mid 20's... these two examples are a reason why the future of steam cars is still viable.

    • @raydornbush
      @raydornbush 7 років тому +3

      doktorbimmer Your missing the point... the steam car he made was a damn fine steam car.. the only reason he went bankrupt anyways, if I remember correctly, is because he was obsessive with making every car that came from the factory near perfection/here was always tinkering with them to make them better. Not to mention because they were what they were the price to buy one was comparable to a dusenburg or a Rolls Royce or Pierce back in the day... learn your history it helps.

    • @raydornbush
      @raydornbush 7 років тому +4

      doktorbimmer Why not go to another thread besides this one.. you clearly don't want to learn from history and have no clue as to why he went bankrupt. I told you why he went bankrupt but you do not want to accept that because you don't know any better.

  • @depdeim9787
    @depdeim9787 7 років тому +3

    Gm also had a fleet of semi trucks with turbine engines in the 70s.

  • @wadebrewer7212
    @wadebrewer7212 7 років тому +1

    Amazing history, thank you!

  • @memadmax69
    @memadmax69 7 років тому +2

    Interesting idea.
    Executed poorly however.
    I was a steam engineer in the USN. I would've did this very differently.

  • @mikehagen3785
    @mikehagen3785 7 років тому +1

    interesting piece. thank you

  • @I8ITSK8N
    @I8ITSK8N 3 роки тому +5

    It runs exactly like a Double steam car

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 3 роки тому +1

      You mean Doble? Besler bought Doble after it went bankrupt in 1931... the SE 124 uses an old Doble boiler.

    • @I8ITSK8N
      @I8ITSK8N 3 роки тому +1

      @@sandervanderkammen9230 Well yea dude my phone must have thought I spelled double wrong when I spelled Doble... soooorrrryyy.....

  • @I8ITSK8N
    @I8ITSK8N 3 роки тому +18

    I guarantee Jay Leno could get that thing running and on the road.

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 3 роки тому

      The SE-124 is simply not worthy of being part of Jay's excellent collection.

    • @I8ITSK8N
      @I8ITSK8N 3 роки тому +1

      @@sandervanderkammen9230 not in its current state...

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 3 роки тому

      @@I8ITSK8N Jay Leno would have no interest in this failure of an automobile...

    • @I8ITSK8N
      @I8ITSK8N 3 роки тому +6

      I highly disagree. It’s a steam car, he loves ANYTHING steam powered. And he also loves oddities and that car is both...

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 3 роки тому

      @@I8ITSK8N Jays collection is top notch... he doesn't own any cobbled together wrecks like this..
      The SE-124 was a complete dud even when it was new...

  • @halloranedward
    @halloranedward 4 роки тому +4

    I am looking for information about steam engines.

  • @I8ITSK8N
    @I8ITSK8N 3 роки тому +5

    It’s called a closed loop system

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 3 роки тому

      Partially-Closed Loop system, the condenser still vents steam to the atmosphere.

  • @heru-deshet359
    @heru-deshet359 5 років тому +4

    I'm working on a perpetual rubber band powered car.

  • @compactc9
    @compactc9 7 років тому +2

    Being its kerosene, diesel fuel should work just fine?

    • @0101-s7v
      @0101-s7v 7 років тому +5

      I'd assume. Kerosene wouldn't leave the residue diesel would, though.

    • @compactc9
      @compactc9 7 років тому

      True, I wasn't thinking about kerosene being a being a bit more refined than regular diesel, which I think it is, at least cleaner burning.

  • @geoffgeoff143
    @geoffgeoff143 3 роки тому +4

    How does it compare to the Pritchard Falcon?

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 3 роки тому +1

      Both cars were embarrassing failures... both were constructed by people with dubious business reputations.

    • @geoffgeoff143
      @geoffgeoff143 3 роки тому +2

      @@sandervanderkammen9230 total bs from an idiot that is trying to sound intelligent. I think I would run rings around you sir.

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 3 роки тому

      @@geoffgeoff143 Just the facts here, both cars were complete failures, neither design successful as a viable vehicle concept and both were technically inferior to other available automotive technology.
      Both Besler and Pritchard were very dubious businessmen, both were accused of serious fraud and embezzlement.

  • @MdImran-gb9ce
    @MdImran-gb9ce 2 місяці тому +1

    Mr. Tom Give it to Mr. Jay Leno. He will make it a running car.

  • @codib26
    @codib26 7 років тому +8

    "On this episode of Jay Leno's fap files"...

    • @macro820
      @macro820 7 років тому +2

      I'm surprised he hasn't tried to buy it

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 4 роки тому

      @@macro820 why would Jay Leno buy this pile of junk... it was a failure.

  • @troybrown6012
    @troybrown6012 7 років тому +2

    this deserves to be restored and shown. please

  • @MACTEP_CHOB
    @MACTEP_CHOB 6 років тому +1

    It`s been more than a year now. How this baby doin ?

  • @jtjjbannie
    @jtjjbannie 7 років тому +3

    Only 5000 miles and it has a dent in the back. Bummer.

    • @jamest.5001
      @jamest.5001 7 років тому +2

      jtjjbannie
      if the owner has my luck . that likely happened in the garage!

  • @nemo2498
    @nemo2498 6 років тому +7

    So who do you call to fix a steam engine? A mechanic or an italian plumber?

    • @Psychedelic_Cowboy
      @Psychedelic_Cowboy 5 років тому +1

      MARIO?!

    • @silvergreylion
      @silvergreylion 5 років тому +1

      Probably someone who studied engineering, but decided to become a car mechanic instead.
      That, or your local inventor.

  • @jandoerlidoe3412
    @jandoerlidoe3412 Рік тому +4

    What did happen in those 6 years... did it ever run again on steam ?

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 11 місяців тому +1

      The car never actually ran properly and was really just a scam, Besler was notorious as con man.
      It was a disgraceful waste of taxpayers money.

    • @jandoerlidoe3412
      @jandoerlidoe3412 11 місяців тому +1

      @@sandervanderkammen9230 What facts support the opinion that Besler was a con man ? You said earlier that Enginion was a scam, while there is evidence that the steam technology they did produce was suppressed... Angela Merkel herself said that there was no need for a ( modern ) steam car......

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 11 місяців тому

      @@jandoerlidoe3412 Your comments reveal someone who has very limited formal education or professional experience with automotive engineering...
      You seem to be operating under the false assumption that a steam car could be a practical or commercially viable concept today.

    • @jandoerlidoe3412
      @jandoerlidoe3412 11 місяців тому +2

      @@sandervanderkammen9230 Your hubris fails to answer my simple questions....

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 11 місяців тому

      @@jandoerlidoe3412 Besler was involved in many shady deals and was known to prey on gullible investors.
      He actually swindled the Japan government into buying a steam powered airplane.
      The SE-124 was basically a money grab scheme to take advantage of federal grant money that was hastily offered as a result of the panic created by the 1966 New York Smog crisis and passing of several Air Quality Acts.
      Unfortunately EPA testing showed that the SE-124 and SE-101 actually produced more pollution than ICE cars did.
      Enginion was one of the biggest scandals in German history and was a huge embarrassment for Volkswagen and the German government, not much is known about the Enginion company other than it was a vaporware type investment scam.
      Due to German privacy laws it is not know exactly how much money obtained through this fraudulent vaporware investment scam but it appears that Herbert Clemens and Micheal Hoetger embezzled at least 12 million Euro from investors.

  • @REVY01
    @REVY01 Рік тому +5

    Does anyone have the patents or schematics for this Steam engine?

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 Рік тому

      Why would anyone want the plans for a car that was an epic failure?

    • @REVY01
      @REVY01 Рік тому +8

      @@sandervanderkammen9230 none of ya business smart ass

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 Рік тому +2

      You look like an idiot right now.

    • @REVY01
      @REVY01 Рік тому +7

      @@sandervanderkammen9230 wipe the drool off your chin you dribbling shit no-one even cares nor did anyone ask.

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 Рік тому

      You didn't know the SE-124 was failure? This piece of crap could barely run when it was new.

  • @aserta
    @aserta 5 років тому +8

    In today's world, Steam would do a lot of good. But not as a flame operated system, rather an electric one. I wish someone would tackle that challenge already, we have quite a lot of background on electric capacity and heating at this point and 100+ years of steam engines.

    • @DarxusC
      @DarxusC 5 років тому +10

      Wouldn't using electricity to convert water to steam be far less efficient than using it to turn an electric motor?

    • @konoko6413
      @konoko6413 5 років тому +2

      I was thinking the exactly same thing. To have a small steam turbine charge a small battery. Also you wouldn't have the massive transmission assembly. It's been done in a sports car from 2013 I think, can't remember the name. A 30 kW turbine extended its range from 80 to 450 miles (a car with

    • @isaacfortner
      @isaacfortner 5 років тому +2

      You're just lowering the energy efficiency with that. If you have a source of electric power already, it's more efficient to put that directly into an electric motor rather than convert it through a bunch of steps.
      It's much less efficient to convert electric current to heat, dump that heat into water, convert that water to steam, and then use that steam to move a piston.
      Steam engines make more sense when you have a readily available heat source, but need reciprocal motion: like if you have access to hydrothermal hotspots, can harness the sun's heat, or just happen to have a nuke reactor laying around. :)

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 4 роки тому

      I think we can chuck that idea into trash bin.

  • @LexLucario7922
    @LexLucario7922 5 років тому +2

    I wonder what would have come of it if they actually said yes to steam in 1969, would internal combustion engines fade and we enter a steampunk like era, or would steam soon fade out again as it did in the 20's and we just end out the same way.

    • @yasirsaheed
      @yasirsaheed 5 років тому +3

      @Noah Shepherd I think steam did have power, they had really good torque. It's just that they weren't as simple as "turn the key, start & off you go" so naturally people would prefer the quicker option also they ICE's were becoming lighter and more powerful and I guess was also more fuel efficient than the steam cars.

    • @sandervanderkammen9230
      @sandervanderkammen9230 4 роки тому

      Steam cars became obsolete in 1915 with the invention of the electric starter for internal combustion engines. Once a safe easy way was found to start ICE cars steam no longer offers any advantages.

  • @stevenbailey3038
    @stevenbailey3038 7 років тому +3

    dilithium Chrystal's are the future

  • @davidcollis4758
    @davidcollis4758 7 років тому +7

    Jay Leno would love to have this car.