The year 1886 marks a pivotal moment in history – the birth of the automobile. It was in this year that Karl Benz, a German inventor, secured patent DRP 37435 on January 29th for what we now recognize as the first car powered by an internal combustion engine: the Benz Patent-Motorwagen. While his wife Bertha Benz played a crucial role in financing its development, prevailing German laws unfortunately prevented her from holding the patent herself. The world first glimpsed Benz’s groundbreaking invention on July 3, 1886, at the Ringstrasse in Mannheim, Germany, forever changing transportation.
Approximately 25 of these revolutionary Patent-Motorwagens were meticulously crafted between 1886 and 1893. At its heart lay a horizontal single-cylinder, four-stroke 954cc engine, producing a modest but groundbreaking .75 horsepower at 400 rpm. The original 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen still exists today, a testament to its enduring legacy. Restored in 1906, it proudly resides at the Deutsches Museum in Munich, Germany. Interestingly, 1886 also saw Gottlieb Daimler, working independently just 60 miles away, patent his own internal combustion engine and embark on creating a four-wheeled horseless carriage. Neither Benz nor Daimler were initially aware of each other’s pioneering work, setting the stage for the automotive industry as we know it.
The design of the three-wheeled Patent-Motorwagen bears a resemblance to horse-drawn carriages of the era, notably with its smaller front wheel and larger rear wheels. Its construction employed a lightweight tubular frame and wire-spoke wheels, showcasing early engineering ingenuity. Steering was achieved using a rack and pinion system connected to a tiller, reflecting the nascent stages of automotive design.
The exceptional replica you see here is one of only around 90 examples commissioned by Mercedes-Benz Classic in 2001 and 2002. These replicas, skillfully built by English craftsman John Bentley, were intended for educational purposes, promotional events, and prestigious museum and public exhibitions. This particular model, constructed in 2002, was acquired by its current owner, then an authorized Mercedes-Benz retailer, directly from the source. It has remained in his possession since new and has never been operated, meticulously maintained with regular oiling to ensure the mechanical components remain in perfect working order.
Imagine the sensation this “contraption” caused in 1886, a world yet unfamiliar with motorized vehicles. Now, some 138 years later, this remarkable 1886 Mercedes Benz replica for sale is poised to captivate a new generation, offering a tangible link to the very origins of automotive history. This is more than just a vehicle; it’s a piece of history ready to make a statement once again.
