{"product_id":"likamobile-steam-car-stock-code-3767","title":"Likamobile steam car","description":"\u003cp\u003eA complete, unsteamed \"Likamobile\", built in around 300 hours  spread over the last four years from a Modelworks kit by a retired engineer who  spent his working life running a pattern-making business. Having completed the  car and run the engine on air, anno domini have caught up with him (and I take  my hat off to anybody starting such a project in their ninth decade as he did) -  he can now no longer drive, his \"everyday\" Jaguar's up for sale as  well should you need such a thing.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThe whole replica Locomobile thing seems to have started some years ago when  Eric Hughes of Belfast built his highly successful two-seater  \"Freddy\". Anybody who remembers it racing around at the Great Dorset  Steam Fair (and I was one of the many who had to leap aside as it shot past, his  driving was spirited to say the least) can't have failed to be impressed with  it's spectacular acceleration and near-silent running. Regular viewers of this  website may remember the \"\u003ca href=\"\/products\/locomobile.htm\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ereplica  replica\u003c\/a\u003e\" I had three or four years ago, built by an engineer in  Northampton as a copy of Eric's car - it went in pretty much the same way, my  fifteen minutes of fame came when called upon to convey a local celebrity in the  Metheringham village fete parade!\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThe car is fitted is an all-welded steel Winslow-type water tube boiler,  fired with an electronically-controlled oil burner which cycles on and off in  response to steam demand. Engine is twin cylinder with Hackworth valve gear,  driving via chains to the differential giving a single, fixed-speed - reversing  is by changing engine direction rather than gearbox, which gives rather  entertaining reverse performance.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThere is an enthusiastic following for the replicas, particularly in the  United States - \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.memoriesdreams.com\/locomobile.htm\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRick  Stoeber's website documentary\u003c\/a\u003e detailing the building and running of one of  these cars is outstanding. The car is complete with original building  documentation and a set of later-type rear drive shafts which have never been  fitted. Whilst fully-assembled and tested on air, it will, without doubt,  require a degree of informed tinkering during its first steamings.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eLength 85 inches\u003cbr\u003e  Width 64 inches\u003cbr\u003e  Height 59 inches\u003cbr\u003e  Weight approx 1\/2 ton\u003c\/p\u003e    \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e","brand":"Station Road Steam","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54009786663253,"sku":"3767","price":12950.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1023\/0094\/2677\/files\/3767-1.webp?v=1779899202","url":"https:\/\/stationroadsteam.com\/products\/likamobile-steam-car-stock-code-3767","provider":"Station Road Steam","version":"1.0","type":"link"}