This web page took time to scan, research, design, and upload. Thank you for supporting the Virtual Steam Car Museum!

Shop at Amazon and Donate to the VSCM.

The Thorne Multiple Steam Generator was manufactured by the Automotive Steam Service Company of Chicago, IL in the early 1930s.

It was an after market steam generation system for Stanley Steam Car owners. Several Thorne Multiple steam Generators survive, including one in a 1925 Steam Vehicle Corporation car, with serial number 25004.

The Thorne burner and steam generator were tested in July 1933 by one O. Monnett, presumably a consulting engineer in the Chicago area. His report survives on carbon paper in the Edward Gibbs Collection, along with the 8" x 10" glossy photographs used in the Thorne brochure. The photograph for Figure 4 is missing. The brochure below is the primary source of published information.

Automotive Steam Services, Thorne Steam Car Boiler

This is the front cover of the Thorne Multiple Steam Generator brochure.

Automotive Steam Services, Thorne Steam Car Boiler Automotive Steam Services, Thorne Steam Car Boiler

<p></p> American Steam Services, Thorne Steam Car BoilerThorne Multiple Steam Generator, 8x10 Glossy Photograph for Catalogue, Figures1 and 2 Thorne Multiple Steam Generator, 8x10 Glossy Photograph for Catalogue, Figure 3 Thorne Multiple Steam Generator, 8x10 Glossy Photograph for Catalogue, Figure 4 Thorne Multiple Steam Generator, 8x10 Glossy Photograph for Catalogue, Figure 5 Thorne Multiple Steam Generator, 8x10 Glossy Photograph for Catalogue, Figure 6

This image, used on the back page of the brochure, Thorne Multiple Steam Generator being installed in a 1925 Steam Vehicle Corporation car. The shape of the fender and the barely visible handle of the Lockheed Hydraulic Brake fluid reservoir on the left side of the fire wall lead to this conclusion. The Solar 1130 headlights were standard equipment on 1923 - 1926 Stanley Steam Cars. Edward Gibbs Collection.

Thorne Multiple Steam Generator, Installed in Stanley Steam Car, Photographer's Name

In the lower right corner of the image above, the photographer has inserted his information. Union Park Studio, 33 N. Ogden Ave. Chicago, Ill. HAY. 6303. Edward Gibbs Collection,

Automotive Steam Service, Engineer's Report, July 5, 1933, O. Monnett, p. 01 Automotive Steam Service, Engineer's Report, July 5, 1933, O. Monnett, p. 02 Automotive Steam Service, Engineer's Report, July 5, 1933, O. Monnett, p. 03

O. Monnett's three page report on the efficiency of the Thorne Multiple Steam Generator. Edward Gibbs Collection,

Subscribe to the Virtual Steam Car Museum Newsletter!

Contact us if you have additional information about the Thorne Multiple Steam Generator, or if you have questions.

Thank you for your financial support.

Society of Automotive Historians

The Society of Automotive Historians bestowed its prestigious 2015 Ingersoll Award on the VSCM web site.