Author Archives: LightStorms Unlimited

1721 Newsham Fire Truck

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First Fire Truck in the World:

Early prototypes of the fire engine were designed in England to move water from one place to another. Once the need for firefighters became apparent, they would discharge the tanks with pumps to generate the pressure needed to reach the blazing building.

In 1721, Richard Newsham, an English inventor, recognized an opportunity. Newsham filed 2 patents that would allow him to create and control the market of fire engines during the mid 1700’s in England.


Newsham’s design consisted of a wooden chassis constructed with a long and narrow frame that could easily be maneuvered. Newsham’s engine encompassed a large lever that required the efforts of two men. The two firefighters would then begin pumping by standing with one foot on each side of the pump, throwing their weight upon each treadle alternately. While the crew members were pumping a leather hose was attached to the top of the apparatus that another set of firefighters directed the jet of water at the fire.

Big Rascals Race Car

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A cross between the Little Rascals Race Car and Bill Eggers‘ first car (age 10!) but for big kids. 400 HP Flathead V-8 anyone?

Features of this race car:

  • 2 speed & 4 speed
  • Air conditioned (too much)
  • Brakes (forget them)
  • 1.5 HP Briggs & Stratton (town)
  • 400 HP Flathead V-8 (Indy 500)
  • Diamond Button-Tufted Leather Seat

This one of a kind race car could be yours! Give Bill a call at +1 (860) 491-3047. Interested in seeing more? Check out the car that started it all, the Little Rascals Race Car!

Little Rascals Race Car

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A cross between the Little Rascals Race Car in the “Kid Mobile Classic” from the short film Auto Antics and Bill Eggers’ first car (circa 1950-1960 at age 10). This vehicle may not win you the $5 for gas and oil, but you will have the ride of your life!

Overflowing with state of the art features, this beauty includes:

  • Air-conditioning
  • 2 Speeds
  • Antique Horn
  • Brakes (maybe?)
  • Arm Power Steering
  • 1.5 HP Briggs & Stratton Engine
  • Leather Bench Seating

It even has a working steering wheel–a gear from an old farm tractor gear. This one of a kind race car could be yours! Give Bill a call at +1 (860) 491-3047. Keep your eyes peeled for the second race car in the series.

1829 Stephenson’s Rocket

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The Rocket, designed and built by Robert Stephenson and his son, was created for the Rainhill locomotive trials in 1829. (Liverpool & Manchester Railway was looking to open the world’s first intercity passenger railway and was looking for a contractor to build said locomotives.)

The average speed was 12 MPH and the top speed was 30 MPH. An interesting choice, since the original Rocket had no brakes:

1829 Stephenson’s Rocket in action!

The WildBill Eggers 3/4 scale replica was built from a small scale model which was purchased from London. A single original Rocket still exists–it left the Science Museum in 2018, toured various sites around the U.K. until it came to rest at the Locomotion Museum in Shildon.

Ideal for museums and private collectors. Call for pricing.

1888 Daimler Engine for Graf Zeppelin Airship

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“…10 August 1888: on this day, at 9 o’clock in the morning, the airship belonging to Dr Friedrich Hermann Wölfert begins a journey spanning more than four kilometres starting from Daimler’s factory courtyard and ending at the Aldingen parade ground near Kornwestheim.

Whilst the floatation panel of the airship, filled with hydrogen gas, mainly overcomes gravity, the 1.8 kW (2.5 hp), high-speed Daimler single-cylinder engine powers the two propellers (horizontal and vertical) and is therefore responsible for propulsion and trimming. On this morning, it becomes clear that the four-stroke engine has great potential as an aircraft engine.” from Mercedes Benz Group Media.

This re-creation was built from scratch by William Eggers, Master Craftsman.

1902 Electric Studebaker Delivery Carriage

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In the 1850’s, three brothers John, Clem and Henry worked in their father’s wagon repair business in the east. They went out west to find their fortune in California’s gold rush. They failed at that but did see a demand in the mines for wheelbarrows.

In 1868, the Studebaker Co. was organized and by 1875 was the largest wagon manufacturer in the world.

In 1902, the company started making horseless electric carriages and in 1904 gasoline powered vehicles. The rest is history.

This is a recreation if the first electric Studebaker from 1902. Made of solid mahogany and brass.

1915 Mack “AC” Bulldog

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The “AC” was the first model built by MAC International (previously the International Motor Company). It was considered a custom truck, as the body of the truck was made for the needs of any kind of trade.

Made in 3 1/2, 5 1/2, and 7 1/2 ton capacity

7 Forward speeds, 2 Reverse speeds

Any paint color, for an additional $50

Chain drive and dual wheels were standard

40 HP Cylinder 5″ Pistons

These trucks were a big part of World War I. It was also the first year for the “C” cab; without sides or windshield.

1863 Roper Steam Carriage Replica

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There is a 1864 Roper Steam Carriage in the Henry Ford Museum, but this black and white photo also from the museum shows the original 1863 Roper Steam Carriage.

Wild Bill Eggers has handcrafted a museum quality recreation of the 1863 Roper Steam Carriage.

Known as a Steam Car of the Civil War Days, this is the first of three carriages made by Sylvester H. Roper in 1863. Coal-fired, the steam pressure was around 15 – 20 pounds. The carriage has no brakes. It is slowed down by the cutting of steam to the pistons, just like in locomotives.

 

1877 Selden Patent Wagon

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Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS

The first ever gasoline-propelled road wagon, this 1877 Selden first came to light during patent litigation, where adversaries claimed it would never run.

Patent Attorney George Selden applied for his engine patent in 1879, but never made the car, instead demanding royalties from all car makers. Henry Ford refused to pay and was sued in the 1890’s. Because of that, Selden made the one and only model of his car.

Starting with a stove-iron block with one cylinder, boring two more, George B Selden then mounted it on the finished axle of a specifically built spring wagon. Thus, the Selden was born.

Selden won the battle but lost the war. The court declared that the Selden patent was valid but that Ford was using a different design.

The original is now held at the Henry Ford Museum. A William Eggers hand-crafted replica has been completed!

1902 Studebaker Electric

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This custom made replica features a mahogany body, forward and reverse, 24 volt system, leather fenders, brown leather diamond tufted seats, oil lamps, solid brass accessories and gold leaf.