This week in classic cars, we look at the Brooks steamer: likely the last automobile to gently chuff and hiss along Toronto streets, leaving nothing in its wake but a white vapour trail and the splash of water droplets.
The history of steam cars in Canada stretches back to Henry Seth Taylor’s pioneering steam-powered carriage created in Quebec in 1867. (Ian Taylor/Ian Taylor)
The initial superheated enthusiasm for steam rapidly cooled as most inventors turned their minds to the potential of electricity and internal fires generated by gasoline. (Ian Taylor/Ian Taylor)
Due to tough Ontario regulations regarding steam-powered devices, the Brooks can no longer be brought to the boil. (Ian Taylor/Ian Taylor)