CARL BENZ’S REVOLUTIONARY VEHICLE

In January 1886, transport history changed forever when Carl Benz patented the world’s first true car

Availability

Once it went on the market, buyers could purchase a Patent-motorwagen for 600 Imperial German marks, although only approximately 25 were manufactured during 1886-93 by Benz’s company (Benz & Companie Rheinische Gasmotoren-fabrik).

Speed

The single-cylinder, four-stroke engine was installed horizontally at the rear with an output of 0.75 hp (0.55 kilowatts). With seating for just a driver and passenger, there were only three wheels and the car was steered using a tiller. It only had a top speed of approximately 10mph (16.1kph) and could easily tip over while cornering.

Frame

Benz built a large tubular steel tricycle frame around his engine and used bicycle parts within the design, including drive chains and wire-spoked wheels. This intentional design around an internal combustion made the resulting Patent-motorwagen unique.

Engine

A German engineer, Benz had invented the car hot on the heels of two other German automotive engineers: Goettlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach. In November 1885, Daimler and Maybach had designed a small, light internal combustion engine, which they attached to a bicycle. This was the first motorcycle but Benz went further by developing his own engine.