Serpollet

UK Speed Record Holder
1902 Serpollet
A Non-Profit Replica Project

~ by Jeff Theobald ~

* All updates are chronological - Latest update 10-29-02 is at bottom *

Hi John,
Thanks for the contact about Brooks. I have posted a letter for him, in the mean time I thought I had better let you know about my latest project. I have been asked if I could get the replica of the 1902 Sepollet record holder (75 MPH) owned by the Bexhill-on-Sea promotions group in steam. They want it to be able to steam down the sea front by May 2002 ( not at 75 ) to celebrate the centenary of the original car doing the same. So for the last few months I have been plodding away at it.

~ Click photos to enlarge ~

The boiler and burner with all the necessary pipework has now been installed and I was able to get the fire going for the first time the other day.

Here is a picture of the instruments reading the sort of pressures we expected.....

and the boiler producing steam....

Next job is to find a suitable engine, I have been searching the internet but no luck yet, any one got any idea's?

Subject: Serpollet
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2001 23:48:18 -0000
From: "Jeff & Pauline Theobald" <jeff.pauline@tesco.net>
To: "John Woodson" <jw[at]stanleysteamers.com>

Hi John,
I'm sorry I should have let you know earlier about the Serpollet project. I took the job on earlier this year but have only really got into it in the last couple of month's. I am quite enjoying doing it, but would rather be getting on with one of my own cars, they have all been put on hold for the moment. I am putting full effort into the Serpollet as they want it for the centenary celebrations at the beginning of May 2002.

Bexhill on Sea - web site
Birthplace of British Motor Racing

As to your questions, as far as I know the original car was a standard production chassis and boiler ( mono tube type ) fitted with the largest engine he made.
Over-geared and fitted with the lightweight body, he reached 75.06mph at Nice in France in 1902. The replica of that car is what I am working on. The chassis and body were made by someone else, and because of lack of time I have used a 18" Stanley type boiler to keep things simple. I have attached a poor picture of the original style engine, so I am searching for a suitable engine to power the car for demonstrations etc.

I think a 10HP Stanley type engine will do, but I will fit any engine I think will do the job. I need to have it running by Feb/March so that I have time to sort any bugs, the Bexhill people are non-profit making, and this is all being done to promote the town and it's history as the birthplace of British motor racing.

I have also attached a picture of Leon Serpollet in the original car in 1902.

Subject: Serpollet Progress
Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2002 21:57:07 -0000
From: "Jeff & Pauline Theobald" <jeff.pauline@tesco.net>
To: "John Woodson" <jw[at]stanleysteamers.com>

Hi John,
Just a line to keep you up to date with progress on the Serpollet, and to thank all those who offered engines and information on the locations of engines. After looking at what was on offer, I have bought the engine and I have enclosed some pictures.

The first shows it as bought, and the other after careful checking and getting it ready to fit in the car. The cylinder and valve bores have little or no wear. There was a little wear in the crossheads which I was able to adjust out. I am not sure of the make, maybe someone will recognize it.

~ click photos to enlarge ~

I chose this engine because it is built so strong, being built up on a cast frame. It's a 3" X 3.5" with trick piston valves operated by Stevenson link. The crank is on large plain bearings, drive was on the right side for the axle, and the shaft was the right diameter to fit the drive gear. It's obviously an early engine and looks very good offered up to the car frame, as if it belongs in the car. All the mounts have now been made I will be fitting it tomorrow, so at the moment all is on schedule.

Subject: Hart Burner
Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2002 01:08:50 -0000
From: "Jeff & Pauline Theobald" <jeff.pauline@tesco.net>
To: "John Woodson" <jw[at]stanleysteamers.com>

Hi John,
The forum you have set up is the best thing in a long time, like getting a steam club mag every day, you may have noticed that I have put a request for info on the Hart burner, I have attached a picture for you of the burner in question, we have no idea of
what the steam auto or jetting arrangements were, it looks like these were connected directly to the burner, any idea's? I will be sending you an update on the Serpollet shortly as I am almost ready to fire up and see what she will do, this will happen in the next couple of weeks, regards, Jeff.

Subject: Serpollet Update
Date: Sat, 2 Mar 2002 11:10:13 -0000
From: "Jeff & Pauline Theobald" <jeff.pauline@tesco.net>
To: "John Woodson" <jw[at]stanleysteamers.com>

Hi John,
The replica Serpollet moved under it's own power for the first time this week. All the pumps and drives have now been sorted ( see attached photograph's ). First impressions are that it is going to go quite well. The boiler makes steam very quickly, and the pumps seem to supply a sufficient quantity to keep up with demand.

First trials have been done with a steam pressure set at 300 psi. The boiler is tested for operation up to 500. When I first inspected the engine which is of unknown make, with outside trick piston valves, I was hoping to get away with the use of the original halite gaskets. Trials were brought to a stop when the head gasket blew out between cylinders. I intend to fit copper gaskets this coming week, attend to one or two small weeps, and get the body refitted. The next trial will be as a complete car.

Subject: On the road
Date: Mon, 11 Mar 2002 18:54:45 -0000
From: "Jeff & Pauline Theobald" <jeff.pauline@tesco.net>
To: "John Woodson" <jw[at]stanleysteamers.com>

Hi John,
Today was play day, four of the Bexhill 100 team came to inspected the Serpollet and all the changes that have been made in the past few months, after they had given a crash course in how all the controls worked and what they did , the pressures that should be showing on the gauges, how to fill the boiler, fuel tanks, water tank etc, we got the car in steam for the first time as a complete car.
After warming the engine we ventured out on the road for the first time, she struggles on a hill but on level ground gets up a good turn of speed, the owners were all over the moon, running around with cameras taking pictures at every opportunity, from my point of view, the car goes quite well and handles well at the speeds we got up to, but I am not happy with the engine, it does not
have an even beat on the exhaust, and from a standstill lack's power at the moment of opening the regulator, but gets better as speed builds up.

Tomorrow I will remove the engine and see what it is that is wrong, with luck I will have it all back together later this week so further testing can be made, I have attached a couple more pictures one by the roadside ready to go, the steam is coming from the safety valve which has just proved that it works letting go at 15 psi over the 300 lbs working pressure, ( a strong pilot ) and the other
at speed in our road, I will keep you informed of progress, all the best, Jeff.

Subject: Bexhill-on-Sea
Date: Wed, 8 May 2002 14:05:45 +0100
From: "Jeff & Pauline Theobald" <jeff.pauline@tesco.net>
To: "John Woodson" <jw[at]stanleysteamers.com>

Hi John,
Thought you would like some pictures of the Serpollet at the centenary Festival of Motoring at Bexhill-on-Sea, we got the car there and it was able to take part in all the parades etc, there is still lots to do to improve it's performance, I have included a few pictures which I thought you would find interesting

Subject: 1899 Hart Steamer
Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2002 23:27:57 +0100
From: "Jeff & Pauline Theobald" <jeff.pauline@tesco.net>
To: "John Woodson" <jw[at]stanleysteamers.com>

Hi John,
In between finishing the Serpollet I have managed to buy the 1899 Hart Steam Car that I was asking about on the Forum, I thought you would like a picture of the car with yours truly on board, to give an idea of how large the car is, I am looking forward to getting it in steam, and will be carrying out a sympathetic restoration as soon as possible, all the best, Jeff.

Subject: Stage 1 Complete
Date: Wed, 17 Jul 2002 22:32:42 +0100
From: "Jeff & Pauline Theobald" <jeff.pauline@tesco.net>
To: "John Woodson" <jw[at]stanleysteamers.com>

Hi John,
Thought I had better send you an update on progress on my various projects, after the rush to get the Serpollet ready for the centenary celebrations at Bexhill-on-Sea in May, I have now had time to get some of my own cars sorted.

First was the 1900 Locomobile which had developed a leak in the fuel tank, this has been repaired and is back steaming, next was the Likamobile which had blown a gasket in the valve chest which meant an engine out and strip, this has also been completed an she is back steaming, next was my Brooks saloon, on inspection it was found that one valve had finally worn out, and as the cylinder block valve faces had already been machined in the past it was decided that the quickest way to get steaming again was to fit the spare engine and rear axle complete, a careful check over was carried out and the engine was found to be in excellent condition, so 26102 is now fitted with engine number 26097, the engine I have removed will be fitted with a spare cylinder block which I have, bored to suit the excising pistons and new valves will be fitted. it will then be ready for use if needed.

The Serpollet has been taken to a number of displays, and I have made a number of modifications, a damper has been fitted to the steering, as certain road condition brought on front wheel wobble ( very unnerving ) the car goes quite well but does use a lot of water, so I plan to fit the longest superheater I can get in the fire box to increase steam temperature, this will help performance and water consumption, I have attached a picture of the car steaming amongst the traffic on Bexhill sea front.
Next restoration will be a start on the Hart, I will keep you informed of progress, all the best, Jeff.

Subject: Superheater
Date: Sun, 27 Oct 2002 11:40:18 -0000
From: "Jeff & Pauline Theobald" <jeff.pauline@tesco.net>
To: "John Woodson" <jw[at]stanleysteamers.com>

Hi John,
The latest modification to the replica Serpollet, has been the fitting of a good length superheater, what a difference,
performance is now acceptable, it was interesting to see that the performance with 100 psi superheated was about the same as 400 psi wet steam, over the winter months I hope to get the engine overhauled as I know things are not right with the valve timing, ( see picture of exhaust beat pattern on road car was moving right to left ) and as there are no adjustments built into the engine a few changes are called for.

I have attached two pictures of the car, the first sitting quietly with full head of steam, on Bexhill-on-Sea front yesterday with stormy seas in the background, and the second with Malcolm Mitcheson about to move off giving another ride, and last, the exhaust pattern,