The world’s first ICE car – that is, a car with an internal combustion engine – really looks more like an elaborate bicycle than a motorized vehicle. Still, if you are in for that sort of thing, go ahead and have a look at its life-sized copy built by Mercedes-Benz.
The replica isn’t just identical in design, but also fully functional. It has no air conditioner or ABS to offer, but still comes with a comfortable leather-draped interior. Sitting in the Mercedes-Benz Museum, it has zero on its odometer.
The auction entry is called “Benz Patent Motorwagen Replika”. It weighs 265 kilograms and has a four-tact gasoline engine in its back. The engine has 954 cubic centimeters of displacement room and exerts 0.9 horsepower (approximately three-fourths of a kilowatt). The technological wonder of its age accelerates to a maximum of 16 km/h (10 mph) and expends 10 liters of gasoline per 100 km traveled (corresponding to 28 MPG in the UK, or 23.5 MPG in the US).
The replica itself was built as early as 2002, but it hasn’t been available for purchase up until now. There are several more copies for those who are interested. All prices are only disclosed to interested buyers. Each of these cars makes for a great retro car show exhibit or a superb marketing accessory.
Karl Benz patented the first three-wheeled ICE car in 1886. A later Benz design had a two-liter engine with 3 hp / 2.25 kW at its command. Karl’s wife, Bertha, has played a major role in making the first vehicles popular. She and her sons have traveled over 200 kilometers on one of these, thus proving to the wide public that the car can be used for leisure journeys.
Photo: mercedes-benz.com