Wednesday, February 9, 2011

1905 Sheldon Runabout as seen in the Fountainhead Auto Museum

The Sheldon was powered by a Gray marine engine, salvaged from a sunken boat.
  Alaska's first automobile has a single-cylinder, 2-cycle marine engine, 3.5 horsepower, a wheel base of 41 inches, and a top speed of 15 miles per hour.The 1905 Sheldon runabout was built by a 22-year-year old Alaskan from Skagway. In order to win over the attention of a young lady, Bobby Sheldon built this runabout using only photographs in magazines as references. His competitor for the young lady, was a doctor's son, who drove a horse and fancy carriage. Although he and the young lady never married, Sheldon went on to become a legend in Alaskan automotive history. Sheldon donated the runabout to the University of Alaska Museum of the North. It is currently on loan at the Fountainhead Automotive Museum.

Four buggy wheels were attached.

Tin and oil cloth were used for a hood and trunk cover.

Sheldon took the girl for many rides, but failed to capture her heart.

Sheldon added barroom chairs.

It was chain driven. The tiller was made with sections of gas pipe.

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