Details
1898 BENZ "COMFORTABLE" 3½ H.P. VIS-A-VIS
Registration No. T.B.A.
Chassis No. 1326 K
Engine No. 1527
Two tone green with black leather interior
Engine: Single cylinder, rear-mounted, horizontal, automatic inlet
valve, 1,045cc; Gearbox: two speed, belt and chain final drive, rear
wheel brakes; Suspension: fully elliptic leaf springs all round with transverse full elliptic "helper" front spring.
Karl Benz, born in 1844 is widley acknowledged as being the creator of the first successful internal combustion motor car. The Benz Velo is a direct successor of the original Benz of 1885 and has its place in history as the first truly reliable automobile to be offered for sale to the public; indeed it is generally perceived to be the world's first production car. By 1899 the total production was up to 572 cars, which ranked Benz as one of the biggest car producers of the period.
This early Benz Velo was supplied to Hewitson's Ltd., 6 Dean Street, Oxford Street, London, and the car still bears the plaque to this effect. It is reputed to be the first car in West Riding (Yorkshire) when it was owned by the Farnell family who are thought to be the original owners. It originally carried the registration number AK1 although the Farnell's kept this number when they sold the car (the number remains in their family to this day). In the early 1930's it passed through the hands of a Charles Henry Ford and Henry Priestley, from whom the Farnell family purchased the car for the second time in 1952. The current owner bought the Benz from the Farnell family in 1965, when he saw it in the corner of their workshop resting on its rear wheels against the wall to preserve space !
This car still retains its original coachwork which is in generally good condition, although typically there are a few small cracks in the woodwork which have developed over the 97 years. The leather upholstery is very old, possibly the original and the car is fitted with its correct carriage lamps. It has been in museum storage for the last 28 years, so a small amount of re-commissioning prior to use may be necessary.
This car would be an interesting entry for the famous London to Brighton Veteran Car Run and would, of course also be eligible for any of the numerous Victorian car rallies organised to coincide with the centenary celebrations in 1996. The file of history contains log books dating back to 1936 and it carries V.C.C. dating certificate number 1086.
Registration No. T.B.A.
Chassis No. 1326 K
Engine No. 1527
Two tone green with black leather interior
Engine: Single cylinder, rear-mounted, horizontal, automatic inlet
valve, 1,045cc; Gearbox: two speed, belt and chain final drive, rear
wheel brakes; Suspension: fully elliptic leaf springs all round with transverse full elliptic "helper" front spring.
Karl Benz, born in 1844 is widley acknowledged as being the creator of the first successful internal combustion motor car. The Benz Velo is a direct successor of the original Benz of 1885 and has its place in history as the first truly reliable automobile to be offered for sale to the public; indeed it is generally perceived to be the world's first production car. By 1899 the total production was up to 572 cars, which ranked Benz as one of the biggest car producers of the period.
This early Benz Velo was supplied to Hewitson's Ltd., 6 Dean Street, Oxford Street, London, and the car still bears the plaque to this effect. It is reputed to be the first car in West Riding (Yorkshire) when it was owned by the Farnell family who are thought to be the original owners. It originally carried the registration number AK1 although the Farnell's kept this number when they sold the car (the number remains in their family to this day). In the early 1930's it passed through the hands of a Charles Henry Ford and Henry Priestley, from whom the Farnell family purchased the car for the second time in 1952. The current owner bought the Benz from the Farnell family in 1965, when he saw it in the corner of their workshop resting on its rear wheels against the wall to preserve space !
This car still retains its original coachwork which is in generally good condition, although typically there are a few small cracks in the woodwork which have developed over the 97 years. The leather upholstery is very old, possibly the original and the car is fitted with its correct carriage lamps. It has been in museum storage for the last 28 years, so a small amount of re-commissioning prior to use may be necessary.
This car would be an interesting entry for the famous London to Brighton Veteran Car Run and would, of course also be eligible for any of the numerous Victorian car rallies organised to coincide with the centenary celebrations in 1996. The file of history contains log books dating back to 1936 and it carries V.C.C. dating certificate number 1086.