The steamer is the granddaddy of all engines, dating back some 2,000 years. All of the earliest “cars” were steamers, and the golden age of steam cars in the teens and twenties resulted in some fabulously refined vehicles. The Stanley was very successful and set the world speed record in 1906 that was only broken recently; and the ultimate development, the highly refined Doble, created a legend. The advantages of the steam engine are the ability to burn almost any kind of fuel, generate maximum torque at starting rpm, no need for a transmission, and the ability to power the loudest of horns. There have been numerous attempts at automotive steam engine revivals; but their many downsides have relegated them to the obscure pages of wikipedia: delay in getting up a head of steam, bulky condensers, oil contamination of the steam, inefficiencies, etc.. But Cyclone Power Technologies has been developing a radical update on a compact, efficient, eco-friendly steam engine. Before we dismiss it as more hot vapor in our usual dismissive TTAC manner, let’s take a closer look first: (Read More…)
Recent Comments
28-Cars-Later - TTAC for the most part truly is critical thinking in action.
28-Cars-Later - GM, leading the way.
Moparman426W - I know that metropolitans in general are not rare, but I always assumed that hardtops were because I never see one. The hardtop that I was referring to...
Beerboy12 - Thanks, I will do that.
28-Cars-Later - @azmtbkr81 Based on sales, someone from outside the US could draw such a conclusion.
rolladan - 90s Japanese cars were my favorite for sure. I had a 4 age 20v swapped corolla, celiac all trac, and mr2 turbo modded to hell at the same...
AMC_CJ - I was in high school right in the middle of the whole Tuner-plosion. All the cool kids were getting used Integra’s, Civics, and the...
danio3834 - “I stumbled upon TTAC a few months ago and have been here nearly every day since. I like this site because it’s not always...
-Nate - LOL ~ Anyone who thinks your transportation make you gay or straight , obviously has serious issues they need to work on . When I ran my indie...
juicy sushi - MotoIQ is still fun though, and I can’t think of anywhere else that someone would willing attempt the Miatabusa.