This October, at Hershey Week Sale, in Pennsylvania, you can admire the world’s oldest motor car. The 1884 de Dion Bouton et Trepardoux Dos-a-Dos Steam Runabout, measures 9 feet and has back-to-back seats for four people. The twin compound steam engines function with 40 gallons of water. This car needs at least half an hour warm up before it can be driven and the steel tank needs refilling every 20 miles.
La Marquise, named after the Count de Dion’s mother, is a four wheeled steam powered car and has a coal fired engine. Created in 1884 by a French company, it won the first automobile race in 1887, with a speed of about 38 mph and covering 19 miles, being in competition with the three wheeled De Dion Bouton.
In 128 years of existence, La Marquise had only four owners. You can bid for this beautiful, old car at the RM Auctions event, but keep in mind that it is estimated to fetch $2.0 million. If this car is not your cup of tea, you can also choose from the 1913 Argo Electric Fore-Drive Limousine, the rare 1905 Tribelhorn Electric Brougham built in Switzerland or the 1903 Columbia Electric Surrey.
