H. H. "Steam" Stewart knew about Abner Doble as early as February 4, 1926 when he started collecting newspaper articles on Doble's stock swindle trial. Stewart almost certainly heard of Doble when he spent three months in Newton, MA in 1924.
Stewart and his family socialized with Abner Doble on his trips to New Zealand during Doble's steam bus effort. He was particularly interested in steam busses and followed the progress of other efforts.
This information is loosely organized by the various Doble vehicles identification numbers.
H. H. Stewart and family, January 26, 1932. From left to right, Abner Doble's wife, Evelyn Stewart, H. H. Stewart, Keith Stewart, Colin Stewart, Hugh Stewart. Photo taken on the front lawn of the Matai Road , Greenlane, Auckland home of the Stewarts. Given Abner Doble's absence from the photograph and his wife's inclusion in the photo, it is quite likely that Abner Doble took this photograph with Stewart's Camera. Source: Stewart Archive.
Dobles in Front of H. H. Stewart's Home
This series of snapshots shows the two Doble vehicles that Abner Doble brought to New Zealand, E-13 and E-24. Doble E13 came to New Zealand some years before Abner Doble's visit in the early 1930s.
H. H. Stewart poses with Doble E-13 outside his family's home at 24 Matai Road, Greenlane, Auckland, New Zealand. Doble E-13 came to New Zealandsome years before Abner Doble's first visit. Abner Doble very likely took this photo with Stewart's camera. Source: Stewart Archive.
This second print of the image above from the same negative shows a bit more detail. H. H. Stewart poses with Doble E-13 outside his family's home at 24 Matai Road, Greenlane, Auckland, New Zealand. Abner Doble very likely took this photo with Stewart's camera. Source: Stewart Archive.
This is another view of Doble E-13 in front of Stewart's home at 24 Matai Road, Greenlane, Auckland, New Zealand. The driver is David Stewart. Source: Stewart Archive.
This is another view of Doble E-13 infront of Stewart's home at 24 Matai Road, Greenlane, Auckland, New Zealand. The driver is David Stewart. John Stewart noted that This photo is a mirror image of the photo above. It shows Doble e-13 as a right hand drive car, which it was not. The negagive was printed backwards. Source: Stewart Archive.
This image shows the right front view Doble E-13 and Abner Doble's Coupe E-24 in front of Stewart's Home at 24 Matai Road, Greenlane, Auckland, New Zealand. Source: Stewart Archive.
This image shows the right rear view Doble E-13 and Abner Doble's Coupe E24 in front of Stewart's Home at 24 Matai Road, Greenlane, Auckland, New Zealand. Source: Stewart Archive.
This is a front view of Doble e-13 and Abner Doble's Coupe in front of Stewart's home at 24 Matai Road, Greenlane, Auckland, New Zealand. Source: Stewart Archive.
These two prints share a common negative but are shown here to try to reveal additional detail. John Stewart points out that the negatives were printed backwards, as the Doble features a left hand steering wheel. The image at the right has been reversed. Source: Stewart Archive.
John Stewart identified this photo as the Doble E-13 Boiler View showing the modified firebox by H.H. Stewart to burn kerosene instead of gasoline. This burner [is] still fitted [to this car]. [The] Original firebox [was] given to Stan Lucas.
The wheel handle near the center of this photograph is a Stanley wheel handle that appeared on the 1924 Model 750s and the 1925 Model SV 252. Source: Stewart Archive.
Doble and Stewart on Outings in Doble Steam Cars.
This is Doble E13 at the right on Muriwai Beach, probably 1931. Auckland, New Zealand. John Stewart at right front. The car at the left is a Morris. It is awaiting a tow by the Doble through soft sand and up the steep ramp off beach.
This is Abner Doble's Coupe E 24, with Abner Doble fetching something from the rumble seat with his wife standing in front of the car. John Stewart "can't know location but seem ot recall it was a picnic outing somewhere in Auckland." Ca: 1931.
John Stewart identifies this imagase as follows: "Auckland, New Zealand, Abner Doble with E 24. This was Abner's personal car which he brought to N.Z. The car was subsequently in Harrah's Reno [Museum] and [is] now with Stan Lucas."
This photograph shows Abner Doble, his wife, and H. H. Stewart posed in front of Abner Doble's Steam Coupe, serial no. E-24. The photo was taken at Stewart's home at 24 Matai Road, Greenlane, Auckland, New Zealand, ca: 1931 - 1932. Source: Stewart Archive.
Notes on the reverse reade "Doble Steam Car Mr. Doble on Left, Mrs. Doble in middle." Source: Stewart Archive.
This is a second print of the same negative but has been cropped. Notes on the reverse reade "Abner Doble on left (Mrs. Doble) and H. H. Stewart with the Doble Coupe in Auckland." The photo was taken at Stewart's home at 24 Matai Road, Greenlane, Auckland, New Zealand, ca: 1931 - 1932. Source: Stewart Archive.
John Stewart thinks this may be the Doble factory in California. H. H. Stewart is the gentleman at the left. Source: Stewart Archive.
Doble Simplex
The Doble Simplex. Factory Photograph. See Walton, pp. 53 - 58.[1] Source: Stewart Archive.
Doble D Series
Barry Herbert identified this as a D Type Doble, probablly D-3, and one of only four built. There is no indication of where this photo was taken and no passenger identification. San Francisco? Source: Stewart Archive.
Doble E Series
A cut-away view of the Doble E Steam Generator. Source: Stewart Archive. See Walton, p. 41.[1].
The Doble Model E Auxiliary Unit. Source: Stewart Archive. See Walton, p. 43.[1]
A Doble Steam Line Swivel Joint. Factory Photograph. Source: Stewart Archive.
Doble E7, E15, or E17
A Doble factory photograph, unidentified, but perhaps E7, E15, or E17? Source: Stewart Archive.
Doble E11
A Doble Automobile. Factory Photograph. E-11, Deluxe Phaeton? Source: Stewart Archive.
Doble E13
H. H. Stewart poses in front of a Doble E-13 in New Zealand. This image exists only as a negative and has been professionally restored for the Virtual Steam Car Museum. Source: Stewart Archive.
These two color slides are Doble e13, currently owned by Brian Rankine. Source: Stewart Archive.
Doble E17?
This unidentified city view features an unidentified man looking under the hood of this Doble, perhaps E-17. The headlights are distinctly different than E-13 as seen in H. H. Stewart's snapshots. Source: Stewart Archive.
Doble E18 or E21
A Doble Automobile. Factory Photograph. E-18 or E-21? Source: Stewart Archive.
Doble E20
A Doble factory photograph of E-20. Barry Herbert indicates that this car was originally painted green and is currenlty owned by Jay Leno. It is the sister car to E-22, both of which were purchased by Howard Hughes in 1925 directly from the factory. Source: Stewart Archive.
Doble E24
A Doble Automobile. Factory Photograph. E-24? If so, it is Abner Doble's personal car. See Walton, p.64.[1] When this car was in New Zealand, if it is E-24, it clearly had front guard mounted side lamps and larger section tires. This car has scuttle mounted side lamps. Source: Stewart Archive.
This photo bears Abner Doble's handwriting and is identified as A. Doble in Shrewsbury, G.B. and showing our front door with E-24 & Ruffie. This apears to be the same Doble Coupe that Abner took to New Zealand. Date unknown, but probably in the 1930s. Source: Stewart Archive.
Testing the Model F Doble Engine
These six images appear to date from early April 1931, as two are date stamped April 16, 1931. Happily, they are identified on the reverse as engine tests for the Doble F series engine. The writing appears to be that of Warren Doble who likely took the photos and gave them to H. H. Stewart.
These photos and other published information make it clear that Warren Doble was in charge of the factory testing of Doble systems.
Unhappily, one image is numbered 22 and one is numbered 57, suggesting that Warren Doble took a great deal more photos that have not survived.
This is the "F-model engine for Henschel & Sons Gear ratio: ______." Printed on April 16, 1931. This would be the F-2CC Bus Engine. Emeryville, California. Source: Stewart Archive.
This photo is adentified on the back as follows: "F-model Engine for pleasure car using E-Model Axels, Housings and differentials. It was printed on April 16, 1931. Emeryville, California. Source: Stewart Archive.
This is the Emeryville, California testing lab for Doble. Identified on the back as follows: "F-model Engine on laboratory dynamometer". Source: Stewart Archive.
This is the Emeryville, California testing lab for Doble. Identified on the back as follows: "Laboratory, F-model boiler set up for test". Source: Stewart Archive.
This is the F 32 Engine on the laboratory dynamometer at Emeryville, California. Source: Stewart Archive.
This is the F Model boiler up for a test in the laboratoroy at Emeryville, California. Source: Stewart Archive.
Doble F Series
Doble F30
Barry Herbert identified this Doble as F30, which was made for Mr. Marcus Lowthrop, the Doble Patent attorney. It is fitted with an E-type engine and a Fisher convertible coupe body taken from a LaSalle. Source: Stewart Archive.
This Doble is parked in front of the Garage of the Peoples Baking Co. Barry Herbert identified this Doble as F30, which was made for Mr. Marcus Lowthrop, the Doble Patent attorney. It is fitted with an E-type engine and a Fisher convertible coupe body taken from a LaSalle. Source: Stewart Archive.
This Doble is identified by Barry Herbert F30, which was made for Mr. Marcus Lowthrop, the Doble Patent attorney. It is fitted with an E-type engine and a Fisher convertible coupe body taken from a LaSalle This image exists only as a negative and has been professionally restored. Source: Stewart Archive.
These four snapshots were identified by Barry Herbert as Doble F30, currently owned by Stan Lucas. The engine is an E type engine. Source: Stewart Archive.
Unidentified Doble Steam Cars Factory Photographs.
An unidentified Doble chassis, right side. Source: Stewart Archive.
An unidentified Doble chassis left side. Source: Stewart Archive.
A Doble Automobile. Factory Photograph. Source: Stewart Archive.
A Doble Automobile. Factory Photograph. Los Angeles Lithograph Co. appears on the spare tire cover. Source: Stewart Archive.
A Doble Engine Test Stand. Factory Photograph. Source: Stewart Archive.
A Doble Engine Test Stand. Factory Photograph. Source: Stewart Archive.
Warren Doble Letter, June 2, 1930. This important letter clearly establishes the date of Abner Doble's first of two visits to New Zealand. Compare the signature on this letter with the writing on the reverse of the factory photographs above showing the Model F. Source: Stewart Archive.
An article from The Autocar discussing the Sentinel-Doble, February 1, 1935. Source: Stewart Archive.
An unidentified steam car photograph. Apparently not a Doble. Source: Stewart Archive.