1 Steam Cars : Phorum
General Steam Car topics
Ofeldt Steamer
Posted by: sandra (IP Logged)
Date: October 19, 2003 12:19AM
<HTML>I am looking for an Ofeldt Steam car built by my great grandfather around the turn of the century. Would love ot hear from anyone with info. Thanks!</HTML>
Re: Ofeldt Steamer
Posted by: Sandra (IP Logged)
Date: October 27, 2003 01:37AM
<HTML> The Ofeldt steam car was built in Brooklyn, NY from 1899 to 1900 and
Newark, NJ from 1901 to 1902. The firm of F. W. Ofeldt and Sons at the
foot of 25th St. in Brooklyn was well known as one of New York's principal
builders of marine launches. In 1899, Ernest F. Ofeldt fitted one of his
steam engines to a carriage. The powerplant consisted of two compound
engines with cylinders and crankshaft set at 90 degree angle. It was among
the earliest vee-type steam engines in America. The water tank carried 15
gallons, the fuel tank five, and the vehicle could travel 20 miles between
replenishment. The first car was crudely built, but was constructed to
demonstrate the practicability of the power. The second car was a surrey
with fringe on top. As Ernest Ofledt explained years later, "We wanted to
have a car look as much like a horsedrawn vehicle so that it didn't scare
the horses." Just two cars were built in Brooklyn. In 1901, the company
secured another factory on Ferry St. in Newark where at least one other car
and one large express wagon were produced. But automobile manufacture was
not embarked upon, although the company was producing components for steam
cars as late as 1905. In 1905, in collaboration with Charles L. Seabury,
the Ofeldt company produced a gasoline car called the Speedway from 1904 to
1905. This car was a side entrance tonneau that seated 5 and was powered by
a 28 horsepower four cylinder engine. It featured shaft drive on a 108 inch
wheelbase and cost $4700. I do not know how many Speedway's were built.
The above is extracted form the Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805
to 1942. Anyone have any connections to any of this???
.</HTML>
Newark, NJ from 1901 to 1902. The firm of F. W. Ofeldt and Sons at the
foot of 25th St. in Brooklyn was well known as one of New York's principal
builders of marine launches. In 1899, Ernest F. Ofeldt fitted one of his
steam engines to a carriage. The powerplant consisted of two compound
engines with cylinders and crankshaft set at 90 degree angle. It was among
the earliest vee-type steam engines in America. The water tank carried 15
gallons, the fuel tank five, and the vehicle could travel 20 miles between
replenishment. The first car was crudely built, but was constructed to
demonstrate the practicability of the power. The second car was a surrey
with fringe on top. As Ernest Ofledt explained years later, "We wanted to
have a car look as much like a horsedrawn vehicle so that it didn't scare
the horses." Just two cars were built in Brooklyn. In 1901, the company
secured another factory on Ferry St. in Newark where at least one other car
and one large express wagon were produced. But automobile manufacture was
not embarked upon, although the company was producing components for steam
cars as late as 1905. In 1905, in collaboration with Charles L. Seabury,
the Ofeldt company produced a gasoline car called the Speedway from 1904 to
1905. This car was a side entrance tonneau that seated 5 and was powered by
a 28 horsepower four cylinder engine. It featured shaft drive on a 108 inch
wheelbase and cost $4700. I do not know how many Speedway's were built.
The above is extracted form the Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805
to 1942. Anyone have any connections to any of this???
.</HTML>
Re: Ofeldt Steamer
Posted by: George Nutz (IP Logged)
Date: December 10, 2003 07:24PM
<HTML>Sandra,
In past threads posted a while back there was another member of your family that requested information on the Ofeldt---as a matter of fact one of the members of this thread had and gave to the requestor an old Ofeldt boiler.
I believe there are two others in the Ofeldt family interested in such stuff and have requested information. It would be helpful to you to review topics of the last few years and what they have received and/or found out. May your search be successful.
George</HTML>
In past threads posted a while back there was another member of your family that requested information on the Ofeldt---as a matter of fact one of the members of this thread had and gave to the requestor an old Ofeldt boiler.
I believe there are two others in the Ofeldt family interested in such stuff and have requested information. It would be helpful to you to review topics of the last few years and what they have received and/or found out. May your search be successful.
George</HTML>
Re: Ofeldt Steamer
Posted by: Ben in maine (IP Logged)
Date: December 10, 2003 08:26PM
<HTML>Hi,,,Just found this too late,,,BUT check this immediately,,,,e/bay ,,,2446697488,,,real photo /w description F W Ofeldt,,F W O Jr ,,,AND Mr OOO KEMP passenger,,,, ca 1900 There may be more info on this???,, Cheers Ben</HTML>
Re: Ofeldt Steamer
Posted by: Jeff Theobald (IP Logged)
Date: January 05, 2004 07:04PM
<HTML>Hi Sandra,
I am rebuilding a very old steam car that has some parts marked Ofeldt on them, this may be of interest to you, and you may be able to throw some light on their origins, my email address is (note remove spaces) jeff.pauline @ tesco.net regards, Jeff.</HTML>
I am rebuilding a very old steam car that has some parts marked Ofeldt on them, this may be of interest to you, and you may be able to throw some light on their origins, my email address is (note remove spaces) jeff.pauline @ tesco.net regards, Jeff.</HTML>
Re: Ofeldt Steamer
Posted by: Howard Randall (IP Logged)
Date: January 20, 2004 10:19AM
<HTML>I finally had the opportunity to look through my 1896-1901 issues of Horseless Carriage Age. In the December 6, 1899, issue (dedicated to steam cars and boilers!) is a photograph and brief description of this car, along with many others of the era. If you send me your address, I will forward a copy.</HTML>
Re: Ofeldt Steamer
Posted by: David K. Nergaard (IP Logged)
Date: January 21, 2004 12:01PM
<HTML>Howard, I think that is the same data I have already sent to her, but mine was a copy of a copy.</HTML>
Re: Ofeldt Steamer
Posted by: Bob Ofeldt (IP Logged)
Date: September 26, 2004 10:56PM
<HTML>Hi Jeff. I am the great great grandson of F.W.Ofeldt. I just saw a reply to Sandra about you having a steamer with Ofeldt parts. Please write me back if you still are at this address. I know of 4 Ofeldt steamers built back in the late 1800s and early 1900. One of the stearmers was built by my great grand father Frank Axel Ofeldt. Hope to hear from you.
Regards Bob Ofeldt</HTML>
Regards Bob Ofeldt</HTML>
Re: Ofeldt Steamer
Posted by: Steven Lidster (IP Logged)
Date: September 20, 2005 04:56PM
<HTML>Hello everyone. I am currently researching Frank W. Ofeldt for a relative of mine. He owns a beautiful naptha-launch and is very interested in it's history. He has spent alot of time on his research and is even considering a possible book. One of his requests of me is that I try to contact any relatives of Mr. Ofeldt in hopes that someone may still have his notebooks. The last we heard, they may have been with family in Princeton, NJ. Anyway, this is an old forum, but hopefully we can get in touch. Thanks.
Steven Lidster</HTML>
Steven Lidster</HTML>
Re: Ofeldt Steamer
Posted by: Donna Ofeldt (IP Logged)
Date: December 12, 2005 06:32PM
<HTML>Hey, who are you? Your grandfather is in the archives in Nyack, NY...you can find all the info you need there...I guess we're cousins...WHAAZ UP CUZ! Hope to hear from you.</HTML>
Re: Ofeldt Steamer
Posted by: Lew Stallman (IP Logged)
Date: January 20, 2006 12:46AM
<HTML>My grandfather was FRANK AXEL OFELDT, son of Frank W. Ofeldt & lived at 222 Cedar Hill Ave, Nyack, NY....
My mother: LOTTA MATILDA OFELDT
Her sister (my aunt) JENNY OFELDT
I have some old pictures & articles regarding the Ofeldt family
Lew Stallman
Pagosa Springs, CO</HTML>
My mother: LOTTA MATILDA OFELDT
Her sister (my aunt) JENNY OFELDT
I have some old pictures & articles regarding the Ofeldt family
Lew Stallman
Pagosa Springs, CO</HTML>
Re: Ofeldt Steamer
Posted by: Lew Stallman (IP Logged)
Date: January 20, 2006 01:06AM
<HTML>My mother was born in Brooklyn, NY, May 13, 1898, daughter of FRANK A. OFELDT & JOHANNA ROCHELL OFELDT.
My great grandfather was FRANK W. OFELDT
Lew Stallman
Pagosa Springs, CO
970-264-0374
lewis@centurytel.net</HTML>
My great grandfather was FRANK W. OFELDT
Lew Stallman
Pagosa Springs, CO
970-264-0374
lewis@centurytel.net</HTML>
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