We thought some would like to see our latest project, completed 9 August. She's a 1900 Milwaukee Model "A" Spindle Seat. Very similar but not identical to the Locomobiles of the era.

Our client was able to provide amazing research detail compiled over 2 years and was very fortunate to locate an original Milwaukee for loads of dimensional data.

All in all a challenging and most enjoyable non-Stanley build.

Mark Johnston
Midwest Coach & Carriage Works



Edited 1 times. Last edit at 08/15/12 07:12PM by Mark Johnston.

It looks great.

I noticed you have built various steam car bodys, what other projects are you working on at present?

Basil

Gorgeous work, as we have come to expect, Mark. I hope some day someone will be content with nothing but some satin varnish over top of one of your creations.

Kelly

Thanks for asking, Basil.

Currently the shop is strewn with massive wood and brass parts from a turn-key restoration of a 1910 Seagrave horse-drawn hose wagon - a piece of historical fire fighting apparatus. It's shown on our website as an 1898, however during our recent research we turned up an actual Seagrave painter's list showing the unit by serial number as being a 1910.

The owner was only mildly miffed that he bought it as an 1898, it seems that previous owners had also mistaken its true age. Still, at 102 years old, it has plenty of exciting history behind it. These old vehicles tend to get "older" as they change hands over the years, don't they?

We're also in final negotiations on a new frame project for a 1913 Stanley Model 64 Roadster, and are working with a gentleman neeeding some restoration work on a 1901 U.S. Long Distance Runabout, a one-cylinder tiller-steer Stanhope along the lines of the Locomobiles. Both promise to be exciting projects and we'll offer up progress photos as they unfold.

Mark

Thanks for your kind words, Kelly. This is every bit as much a labor of love as it is a business for me.

It is sometimes hard to see the beautiful natural grain get painted over, and I have often thought a clear-finished Stanley would be a novel idea. Yet seeing the finished car with all that gorgeous brass highlited against a first class paint job has its own reward.

Mark