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The history of the Doble brothers and how and why they built their steam cars in a two volume set of hardcover books in a protective slip case.

A century ago the Doble family were leading citizens of San Francisco. Doble was a pioneering name in hydroelectric power, having patented water turbine wheels and nozzle designs that were uncommonly efficient. Abner Doble and his brother, Warren, were scions of the family born with the age of the automobile. Their first automotive experiences involved Stanley or White “steamers.” They were captivated by the stunning performance, compared to sluggish gas-engined cars. Abner Doble believed steam was superior, and he was the man to tap its potential. He focused his genius on boilers and engines, and built several cars, now regarded as perhaps the best steam cars ever. He sustained the effort well after steam cars had been abandoned by the industry. Tragically, in the end the laws of thermodynamics, complexity of the technology and some dubious stock deals spelled doom.

Author:

Jim Crank (1933-2017)

Jim Crank, author of the Doble book, was born in 1933 in Oakland California. He became a mechanical engineer by academic training, and a steam car fan by sheer fascina­tion. In the 50s he was an avid sports car racer, at a time when steam power was being recon­sidered by a few innovators. He soon came to know Warren Doble and Bill Besler.

His work experience ranged from atom bomb tests at the Bikini Atoll, an experi­ence that convinced him such weapons should be eradicated, to defense and space-related programs with Lockheed. He was also expert in advanced optics, and worked for Atari on video game tech.

In the 1990s Jim took on the ground-up restoration of E-23. Original crankcases were prone to breaking due to the fierce torque, so Jim redesigned the casting and had several produced for other E car restorations. When completed E-23 was virtually new, and it won awards at Concours showings in the San Francisco Bay Area. It now resides in the Lucas Collection in Los Angeles. Jim also assisted on Jay Leno’s restoration of E-18, originally owned by the Hills Brothers family of San Francisco.

In the late 90s he began writing the book. Jim collected virtually all surviving Doble files and drawings, and having known Warren Doble and Bill Besler, he was the only person who could tell the story of this remark­able company and its amazing cars. The book is the only in depth record of the company’s existence.

A Book Review

Karl A. Petersen

5.0 out of 5 stars Not merely the only Doble book, but an adventure itself.

October 18, 2019

Verified Purchase

Not just a car history or a memoir, this is a sweeping presentation. An entire era and its unique individuals come clearly through. The author lived his entire adult life around these people, their associates, with the cars and their owners. Fortunately he was a great story teller and insisted on bringing it broadly into the present for us, if a bit repetitive. I have known a great many of the cars and the people, researched the same archives, and it rings true. Crank has also found astonishingly rare materials to present to us, and will cause many to review their own notes.

The style of the book is really inclusive. All makes of steam cars, predecessors, associates and car owners are presented to contrast and build the era. We are even given the individual history of each Doble. The only prior book on this subject was merely a compilation of technical tidbits. Even if you are never lucky enough to drive a Doble or even ride in one, you will gain an appreciation of the Dobles, their vision and their impossible task of developing these magnificent steam cars.