The London Classic Car Show is going Full Steam Ahead!

The steam car will be one of many automotive icons featured under our 'Evolution of Design' theme. The theme will take you on a magical journey through 135 years of automotive innovation from early pioneers, such as the fiery Salvesen right up to the latest supercars, the classics of tomorrow. 

   

Dating back to the dawn of motoring, the steam car was the very first car ever built in Scotland. It was designed and constructed by Henry Salvesen, son of shipping and transport tycoon Christian Salvesen. Taking a lead from his family's ships, Henry chose coal fired steam as the well-proven source of propulsion for his new-fangled vehicle. Coal after all was in plentiful supply while fuel sources were limited for the petrol engines being developed overseas.

   

When fully stoked-up the remarkable Salvesen can muster a heady top speed of 16mph with the twin-cylinder engine developing around 10 horsepower by boiling off five gallons of water every mile. Fitted with a 40-gallon tank, that provides a range of eight miles between fill ups. 

 

As well as seating for the driver plus four passengers on two self-facing benches, there’s room for a couple of bags of coal plus a standing fireman on a rear platform. The rudimentary transmission offers two gears ¬– described by Pittaway as ‘slow and very slow’ – but with tiller steering, wooden block brakes and candlelit headlights, faster speeds are hardly advisable.

 

 

The Salvesen Steamer will be joining hundreds of other equally alluring classic cars in the summer sunshine at the picturesque Syon Park. This year's show will offer stunning displays such as a special homage to mark the centenary of the legendary Bugatti Brescia as well as an equally evocative tribute to 60 years of the stunning E-type Jaguar.

 

Buy your tickets today!