<HTML>Hi All,<p>
I am getting down to the restoration of the 1897/8 Hart Steam Carriage, I am still having trouble proving the date it was built, as there are a lot of conflicting claims.
Firstly I am sure that the car was built by Frederick Hart between 1895 to 98, but by 1946 the son of Mr Hart a Frederick H.M. Hart was presenting the car to the "Automobile Old Timers, Inc" claiming that he had built the car, he would have been about 20 years old in 1900, that is the first confusing part.
Secondly the Feb 1905 "The Horseless age" states a "a steam carriage built a year or so ago by Frederick Hart" which would put the car around 1902-ish, depending how long a year or so is.
Thirdly there is a picture of the car in the Bridgewater Car Museum & Bellamy stating that it is 1904, at the same time in the picture the car has a sign on it which says "1898 Hart Steamer"
We know this is his second car his first three wheeled steam machine was completed by 1895, both cars were made in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. his works are listed in the 1897 City Directory although he was supposed to have started in the works in 1995 but I have not been able to prove that, we also know he made parts for the Lane Brothers steam cars who started in 1895 two factory units away from Hart, the questions are...does anyone have any pictures of the car during it's time in museums between 1946 and 1990, or any other time come to that, or has anyone any further information they think may help, there are pictures of the car where it can be seen how early it looks, as it is today on John's site.
I hope someone can help.
All the best,
Jeff.
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