The 1899 Locomobile Steam Car Replica, known as the Lykamobile is a full scale live steam automobile manufactured in 24 kits. This kit is available from a company called "Steam Traction World" located in Daventry, United Kingdom. Each kit is to be manufactured and sent once a month for 24 months. However for cost considerations I have chosen to have my kits batched and dispatched in larger crates to the United States (Topsail Beach, NC).

Specifications:
• Length 7ft 2.6in • Height 5ft 3in • Width 4ft 7.1in • Weight 904 lbs.• Water Tank Capacity 12 Gallons • Fuel Tank Capacity 7.3 Gallons

Construction:

• CHASSIS Tubular steel fabrication, combination weld, bolted and silver solder.
• STEERING “Ackerman” design tiller steering.
• DIFFERENTIAL & DRIVE Spur gear differential similar to the original Locomobile, drive shaft and bearings.
• WHEELS & TYRES Single tube pneumatic, treaded.
• BREAKING SYSTEM Disc brake system.
• ENGINE 21/4" diameter, 3" stroke modified “Hackworth” valve gear.
• WATER FEED Twin mechanical pump.
• BURNER Fuelled by diesel.
• BOILER Multi Fire Tube, fully constructed and complete with necessary paperwork and inspected by notified body.
• BODYWORK & SEATS Wooden with steel frame, seating capacity of 2 persons, with turned decorative spindles with leather style upholstery.
• Gears: forward and reverse.
• Assemble with hand-tools only
• Step-by-step instructions
• Technical service and help-line backup
• Designed on ‘Solidworks’ CAD
• Manufactured on modern CNC machines for build accuracy and high quality


Friday, August 16, 2019

Gilmore Car Museum, Hickory Corners, Michigan

I just returned from a visit to the Gilmore Car Museum. If you ever have a chance this is a fantastic place to go for a day. It is situated on a 90-acre historic campus midway between Detroit and Chicago. All of the cars you can walk right up to.  There are nearly 400 vintage automobiles, motorcycles and auto related items. It’s North America’s Largest Auto Museum. Check it out at the following link: Gilmore Car Museum.


Of upmost interest was an 1899 Locomobile that you can walk right up to and take pictures. Touching the cars are prohibited but you can get as close as you want. I took several pictures that I am posting below. Of special interest to me is how the louvers and trim were designed and the front dash.
Details of the trim.



Details of scuff trim to protect body edge.



Front Leather Dash Details.




Notice the three screws that attach the dash to a metal bracket. The metal bracket attaches to the frame below the front floor board.

 Three nuts secure the front dash to each metal bracket.

Details of the pin stripping.

This Locomobile was equipped with a two tone carriage bell and a steam whistle. You can see two foot plungers. The one on the angled floor board next to the brake pedal is for the bell.
The following images shows the bell and a description of the display.

The next few shows the whistle, but it is hard to make out the details. The whistle is horizontal. It is being held by a metal strap. You can see the plumbing going to the front of the whistle.
The below image shows the whistle valve and connecting rod from the floor above. The metal strap with the bolt and nut is holding the whistle.
Finally some images of the Locomobile.


I'm not sure this foot step is original, but it looks nice.
Notice there are two sight glasses. Not sure why. Possibly one is for the water reservoir and the other for the boiler. I don't think the longer one is original from the factory.
And the last image is of the data plate on the back panel.
If you ever get a chance to go to the Gilmore Car Museum you won't be disappointed!
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