The "A-Steam"
by Jimmy Built
at SEMA 2017

 

 

On display at exhibit space provided by the Chemical Guys, a car detailing supply company was this “steam punk” six-wheeled creation built ironically enough by a high-tech industry executive, Jim Belosic co-founder of CEO of Shortstack, who calls his hobby shop “Jimmy Built.”

 

The powerplant is a twin-cylinder vertical marine engine with each cylinder having a 3-inch bore and 3-inch stroke which develops seven horsepower and 300 foot/pounds of torque.  The car is equipped with a 3-1/2 gallon boiler with 21-gallon reserve tank heated by a 250,000 BTU propane burner.

 

 

 

As the basis of his "A-Steam" Belosic used a set of lengthened 1928 Ford Model A frame rails and axles with the rear axle modified to use chain drive and assorted parts (such as lights gauges and the whistle) purchased off the internet auction site EBay Motors.  The car which has a claimed 15-mile range and a top speed of 22 miles per hour debuted at Reno’s “Hot August Nights” in early August 2017.

Photos by the author