Birth of Automobile
1884 La Marquise
2011 SOLD for $ 4.6M by RM Auctions
The meeting between the aristocrat de Dion and the mechanical engineers Bouton and Trépardoux was successful. The steam had proved effective with the locomotives. By developing a propulsion system of small volume that could be mounted on a tricycle or quadricycle, the team actually invented the automobile.
La Marquise, made in 1884, with two pairs of different-size wheels, is the first successful prototype and is still the oldest car capable of running. Its general shape is already not like a boiler, but that of a real car.
In 1887, La Marquise won the first event considered as a car race between Paris and Versailles, without difficulty because it was the only competitor.
Yet the experiments of Benz, begun in 1885, would soon show that the petrol engine was a better choice than steam.
La Marquise was a sensation at Pebble Beach on August 19, 2007, when it was sold $ 3.5M by Gooding from an estimate of $ 1.5 M. It was sold for $ 4.6M on October 7, 2011 by RM Auctions. Please watch the video shared before the sale by RM Auctions :
La Marquise, made in 1884, with two pairs of different-size wheels, is the first successful prototype and is still the oldest car capable of running. Its general shape is already not like a boiler, but that of a real car.
In 1887, La Marquise won the first event considered as a car race between Paris and Versailles, without difficulty because it was the only competitor.
Yet the experiments of Benz, begun in 1885, would soon show that the petrol engine was a better choice than steam.
La Marquise was a sensation at Pebble Beach on August 19, 2007, when it was sold $ 3.5M by Gooding from an estimate of $ 1.5 M. It was sold for $ 4.6M on October 7, 2011 by RM Auctions. Please watch the video shared before the sale by RM Auctions :
Mercedes Simplex by DMG
1
1903
2024 SOLD for $ 12M by Gooding
Independently of one another, Benz is industrializing the automobile and Daimler is improving the engines, in particular through his combinations of cylinders. The Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) launches in 1898 the Phönix car with a four-cylinder engine.
Only the richest can buy cars. The first Phönix is provided to Emil Jellinek, Austro-Hungarian consul in Nice and motor sport fan. A pioneer in automotive marketing, Jellinek endeavors to study the needs of the wealthy residents of the French Riviera and becomes the exclusive distributor of DMG in the area.
Customers do not call for a technical feat. They wish a user friendly vehicle, reliable, stable, comfortable. Jellinek understands that the manufacturer must lighten the engine and the body, increase the wheelbase and lower the center of gravity. He forwards these specifications to Wilhelm Maybach, the designer of the Phönix. Jellinek creates in 1901 and deposits in 1902 the first model produced by DMG for his request : Mercedes, the first name of his young daughter.
Again with the technical involvement of Maybach, an improved 40 hp model appears in 1902. This luxury car is named Mercedes Simplex, which looks anachronistic today for a luxury vehicle but the high society of that time appreciated that the use of an automobile became simple. The operation performed by Jellinek is a great success : customers are accepting to pay such an expensive price if they get quality and easiness.
A range of Mercedes Simplex is offered. The top power is increased to 60 hp in 1903. Reaching nearly 130 km/h, it was the fastest production car in period. A production car driven by Jenatzy won the 1903 Gordon Bennett Cup against the purpose built racing cars. 102 examples were built. Five are surviving.
One of them had been made in 1903 for the British newspaper magnate Alfred Harmsworth, later Lord Northcliffe, the inventor of popular journalism through the highly successful Daily Mail in 1896 and Daily Mirror in 1903. He was maintaining a great collection of early motor cars. Also in 1903 he created the first international award for boat racing.
That Simplex is powered by a 9.25-liter F-head inline four-cylinder engine. In 1903 it set the fastest times at Nice Speed week and climbed Castlewellan Hill Climb in a winning 32.4 seconds before being fitted with a Roi des Belges coachwork by J. Rothschild et Fils in Paris. It was used by Harmsworth as one of his preferred cars.
Exhibited at Beaulieu Motor Museum from 1956 to 2023, it was from 1956 a multiple participant to the London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run where it was once driven by Jim Clark.
Still in the Harmsworth family and in a highly original condition, it was sold for $ 12M from a lower estimate of $ 10M by Gooding on March 1, 2024, lot 128. One month before the sale, this car was awarded rhe 2024 inaugural Rétromobile Preservation Award.
Only the richest can buy cars. The first Phönix is provided to Emil Jellinek, Austro-Hungarian consul in Nice and motor sport fan. A pioneer in automotive marketing, Jellinek endeavors to study the needs of the wealthy residents of the French Riviera and becomes the exclusive distributor of DMG in the area.
Customers do not call for a technical feat. They wish a user friendly vehicle, reliable, stable, comfortable. Jellinek understands that the manufacturer must lighten the engine and the body, increase the wheelbase and lower the center of gravity. He forwards these specifications to Wilhelm Maybach, the designer of the Phönix. Jellinek creates in 1901 and deposits in 1902 the first model produced by DMG for his request : Mercedes, the first name of his young daughter.
Again with the technical involvement of Maybach, an improved 40 hp model appears in 1902. This luxury car is named Mercedes Simplex, which looks anachronistic today for a luxury vehicle but the high society of that time appreciated that the use of an automobile became simple. The operation performed by Jellinek is a great success : customers are accepting to pay such an expensive price if they get quality and easiness.
A range of Mercedes Simplex is offered. The top power is increased to 60 hp in 1903. Reaching nearly 130 km/h, it was the fastest production car in period. A production car driven by Jenatzy won the 1903 Gordon Bennett Cup against the purpose built racing cars. 102 examples were built. Five are surviving.
One of them had been made in 1903 for the British newspaper magnate Alfred Harmsworth, later Lord Northcliffe, the inventor of popular journalism through the highly successful Daily Mail in 1896 and Daily Mirror in 1903. He was maintaining a great collection of early motor cars. Also in 1903 he created the first international award for boat racing.
That Simplex is powered by a 9.25-liter F-head inline four-cylinder engine. In 1903 it set the fastest times at Nice Speed week and climbed Castlewellan Hill Climb in a winning 32.4 seconds before being fitted with a Roi des Belges coachwork by J. Rothschild et Fils in Paris. It was used by Harmsworth as one of his preferred cars.
Exhibited at Beaulieu Motor Museum from 1956 to 2023, it was from 1956 a multiple participant to the London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run where it was once driven by Jim Clark.
Still in the Harmsworth family and in a highly original condition, it was sold for $ 12M from a lower estimate of $ 10M by Gooding on March 1, 2024, lot 128. One month before the sale, this car was awarded rhe 2024 inaugural Rétromobile Preservation Award.
This car has been with the same family for 121 years and could be a record-breaker when it goes under the hammer with @goodingandco: https://t.co/afMfn3N44X. pic.twitter.com/T93jPxH00k
— Classic & Sports Car (@CandSCmagazine) January 22, 2024
2
1904 Mercedes Simplex
2016 SOLD for $ 2.8M by Bonhams
The 28-32 hp is among the high end of the model. A Mercedes Simplex 28-32 hp made in 1904 was sold for $ 2.8M on August 19, 2016 by Bonhams, lot 27.
After its rediscovery in the mid-1970s, this vehicle has undergone many changes made necessary after half a century of storage in an English farm. It is now a frequent entrant of the London To Brighton Veteran Car Runs. It is offered in a five seat rear entrance tonneau body.
A Mercedes Simplex 65 hp two seater Raceabout made ca 1908 was sold for $ 1.07M by Bonhams on November 11, 2017, lot 427.
After its rediscovery in the mid-1970s, this vehicle has undergone many changes made necessary after half a century of storage in an English farm. It is now a frequent entrant of the London To Brighton Veteran Car Runs. It is offered in a five seat rear entrance tonneau body.
A Mercedes Simplex 65 hp two seater Raceabout made ca 1908 was sold for $ 1.07M by Bonhams on November 11, 2017, lot 427.
1904 #Mercedes-Simplex Rear Entrance Tonneau brings whopping $2,805,000 inc. premium #Quail https://t.co/GTbyAHdhZD pic.twitter.com/SuHiKXages
— BONHAMS (@bonhams1793) August 19, 2016
1904 Rolls-Royce 10 hp
2007 SOLD for £ 3.5M by Bonhams
Charles Stewart Rolls, son of a Lord and lover of sports performances, and Henry Royce, inventor and mechanic engineer in Manchester, had built the same vision, independently of each other : the delay in development of British cars compared to French cars is not irremediable.
To design his first model, the Royce 10, Henry Royce disassembles and analyzes a two cylinder 1901 Decauville and makes three prototypes. With an intuition which can be described as brilliant, he takes a particular care to the silence and to the driving smoothness, which will be at the origin of the legendary reliability of the Rolls-Royce.
A Royce collaborator insists for a meeting with Rolls. The moment is opportune : weary of waiting from other constructors for his dream car, Rolls had set up a business of engine production in London since 1902. The meeting takes place in Manchester on May 4, 1904.
Rolls immediately understands the technological advantages of the Royce 10. He will market and sell the cars designed and manufactured by Royce, with a new trademark : Rolls-Royce. At the Paris Motor Show in December 1904, Rolls unveils the Rolls-Royce 10 hp alongside the Royce 10 and exhibits the six-cylinder engine of the future 30 hp.
That 10 hp of the Paris Salon is the fourth vehicle of the Rolls-Royce brand. Its reliability is already excellent : it will be used until 1930 by several successive owners. It was discovered in a farm building in 1950, in the original configuration of all mechanical elements except the gearbox. The original phaeton bodywork by Barker did not survive.
This car is the oldest Rolls-Royce in existence and the only surviving 10 hp from the first year. It is thus the only Rolls-Royce eligible for the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, in which it participated for the first time in 1954 : the rules of this picturesque annual event only accept vehicles made prior to 1905.
This 10 hp from 1904 was sold for £ 3.5M by Bonhams on December 3, 2007, lot 604.
Henry Royce is passionate about improving the mechanics. During 1904 and 1905 Royce increases the power of the early models from 10 hp to 15 hp and 30 hp.
To design his first model, the Royce 10, Henry Royce disassembles and analyzes a two cylinder 1901 Decauville and makes three prototypes. With an intuition which can be described as brilliant, he takes a particular care to the silence and to the driving smoothness, which will be at the origin of the legendary reliability of the Rolls-Royce.
A Royce collaborator insists for a meeting with Rolls. The moment is opportune : weary of waiting from other constructors for his dream car, Rolls had set up a business of engine production in London since 1902. The meeting takes place in Manchester on May 4, 1904.
Rolls immediately understands the technological advantages of the Royce 10. He will market and sell the cars designed and manufactured by Royce, with a new trademark : Rolls-Royce. At the Paris Motor Show in December 1904, Rolls unveils the Rolls-Royce 10 hp alongside the Royce 10 and exhibits the six-cylinder engine of the future 30 hp.
That 10 hp of the Paris Salon is the fourth vehicle of the Rolls-Royce brand. Its reliability is already excellent : it will be used until 1930 by several successive owners. It was discovered in a farm building in 1950, in the original configuration of all mechanical elements except the gearbox. The original phaeton bodywork by Barker did not survive.
This car is the oldest Rolls-Royce in existence and the only surviving 10 hp from the first year. It is thus the only Rolls-Royce eligible for the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, in which it participated for the first time in 1954 : the rules of this picturesque annual event only accept vehicles made prior to 1905.
This 10 hp from 1904 was sold for £ 3.5M by Bonhams on December 3, 2007, lot 604.
Henry Royce is passionate about improving the mechanics. During 1904 and 1905 Royce increases the power of the early models from 10 hp to 15 hp and 30 hp.
1907 Renault Vanderbilt
2020 SOLD for $ 3.3M by Bonhams
Willie K. Vanderbilt is the heir of one of the richest men in America. He can devote his life to his leisure. He likes car speed and yachting.
Vanderbilt often travels to Europe. His first motor vehicle, in 1898, is a De Dion-Bouton tricycle. In 1904 in Daytona, he approaches 150 km/h with a Mercedes. In the same year, he creates the Vanderbilt Cup, the first American automobile trophy capable of counterbalancing the Gordon Bennett Cup.
The trend in competitions is the use of huge engines. A Renault AE 60 hp with a displacement of 13 liters participated in 1904 in the first Vanderbilt Cup. In 1906 at Le Mans, the very first Grand Prix of the Automobile Club de France was won by a Renault AK 90 hp of the same displacement, far ahead of all other competitors. In 1907 Fiat builds the 130 hp Corsa with an engine exceeding 16 liters.
These monsters cannot be offered for private use. They are thus indirectly at the origin of a new category, the sports car. Developed in 1907, the American Underslung 50 hp is a roadster with an engine of only 7.8 liters.
In the same year, Renault Frères introduce the AI (c) Sport 35/45 hp 7.5 liters. On an AI chassis, the two-seater bodywork also manufactured by Renault is a reduced version of the AK. AI's are the first models fitted with shock absorbers.
Renault delivers about 10 AI Sport to America on a group order by Vanderbilt. Despite its racing body, it was not designed to compete with bigger cars, and its history in the most prestigious American events is limited to a win in 1909 at the 24 Hours of Brighton Beach at Coney Island. None participated in the Vanderbilt Cup.
These cars identified as the Renault Vanderbilt racers. Four survive. One of them was sold for $ 3.3M on March 5, 2020 by Bonhams, lot 159. Please watch the video prepared by the auction house. Another one was sold for $ 1.1M by Gooding on October 21, 2006.
Vanderbilt often travels to Europe. His first motor vehicle, in 1898, is a De Dion-Bouton tricycle. In 1904 in Daytona, he approaches 150 km/h with a Mercedes. In the same year, he creates the Vanderbilt Cup, the first American automobile trophy capable of counterbalancing the Gordon Bennett Cup.
The trend in competitions is the use of huge engines. A Renault AE 60 hp with a displacement of 13 liters participated in 1904 in the first Vanderbilt Cup. In 1906 at Le Mans, the very first Grand Prix of the Automobile Club de France was won by a Renault AK 90 hp of the same displacement, far ahead of all other competitors. In 1907 Fiat builds the 130 hp Corsa with an engine exceeding 16 liters.
These monsters cannot be offered for private use. They are thus indirectly at the origin of a new category, the sports car. Developed in 1907, the American Underslung 50 hp is a roadster with an engine of only 7.8 liters.
In the same year, Renault Frères introduce the AI (c) Sport 35/45 hp 7.5 liters. On an AI chassis, the two-seater bodywork also manufactured by Renault is a reduced version of the AK. AI's are the first models fitted with shock absorbers.
Renault delivers about 10 AI Sport to America on a group order by Vanderbilt. Despite its racing body, it was not designed to compete with bigger cars, and its history in the most prestigious American events is limited to a win in 1909 at the 24 Hours of Brighton Beach at Coney Island. None participated in the Vanderbilt Cup.
These cars identified as the Renault Vanderbilt racers. Four survive. One of them was sold for $ 3.3M on March 5, 2020 by Bonhams, lot 159. Please watch the video prepared by the auction house. Another one was sold for $ 1.1M by Gooding on October 21, 2006.
Underslung
Intro
The Brass era covers those pioneering days of the American automobile when hundreds of more or less talented engineers are seeking innovative solutions for their own use or to make some wealth.
Founded in 1906 in Indianapolis, the American Motor Car Company endeavored to provide fast and powerful cars to the richest clients. A first chassis designed by Harry Stutz was still classic. Stutz quickly left that company where the technical initiative went to the chief engineer Fred Tone.
To improve the performance, Tone wants to reduce the weight and lower the center of gravity. He develops the underslung chassis whose level is lower than the axles, providing an improved driving stability through a lowered center of gravity. For not being disturbed on the rough roads, these cars have huge wheels, spectacular whatever the body type. The Underslung becomes a specialty of the company and its official trademark in 1912.
Despite Vanderbilt's promotional efforts for competition, the American users were reluctant to these early sports cars. The American Motor Car Company went bankrupt in 1913.
Stutz, who had not wanted to follow the adventure of the Underslung, created in 1912 another roadster named the Bearcat which was the first real success in American sports cars along with Mercer's Raceabout.
Founded in 1906 in Indianapolis, the American Motor Car Company endeavored to provide fast and powerful cars to the richest clients. A first chassis designed by Harry Stutz was still classic. Stutz quickly left that company where the technical initiative went to the chief engineer Fred Tone.
To improve the performance, Tone wants to reduce the weight and lower the center of gravity. He develops the underslung chassis whose level is lower than the axles, providing an improved driving stability through a lowered center of gravity. For not being disturbed on the rough roads, these cars have huge wheels, spectacular whatever the body type. The Underslung becomes a specialty of the company and its official trademark in 1912.
Despite Vanderbilt's promotional efforts for competition, the American users were reluctant to these early sports cars. The American Motor Car Company went bankrupt in 1913.
Stutz, who had not wanted to follow the adventure of the Underslung, created in 1912 another roadster named the Bearcat which was the first real success in American sports cars along with Mercer's Raceabout.
1
1907
2014 SOLD for $ 1.43M by Bonhams
The high-end underslung is equipped with a newly developed engine of 7.8 liters for a rated power of 50 hp. One of the first cars, built in 1907. An example that anticipated the official release of the model is elegantly bodied as a roadster and is a precursor of the US sports cars.
This Underslung car was sold for $ 1.43M by Bonhams on October 6, 2014, lot 341. A portion of the proceeds were donated by the seller to the Simeone Automotive Foundation which specializes in preserving early automotive vehicles.
This car passed at Bonhams on March 5, 2020, lot 187. In the mean time it had been re-established in fine working order including extensive servicing and new sets of wheels and brakes.
Its first owner in 1907 was indeed well ahead of the fashion for sports cars : he had purchased it for his honeymoon. He could not finish his trip with that car due to a fire in a barn. He purchased three slightly later cars from the same brand and the four of them were discovered in 1960 in his deceased estate.
This Underslung car was sold for $ 1.43M by Bonhams on October 6, 2014, lot 341. A portion of the proceeds were donated by the seller to the Simeone Automotive Foundation which specializes in preserving early automotive vehicles.
This car passed at Bonhams on March 5, 2020, lot 187. In the mean time it had been re-established in fine working order including extensive servicing and new sets of wheels and brakes.
Its first owner in 1907 was indeed well ahead of the fashion for sports cars : he had purchased it for his honeymoon. He could not finish his trip with that car due to a fire in a barn. He purchased three slightly later cars from the same brand and the four of them were discovered in 1960 in his deceased estate.
2
1908
2015 SOLD for $ 1.74M by Bonhams
An early Underslung car was sold for $ 1.74M by Bonhams on March 12, 2015, lot 152. It entered at that time the Mann collection and passed at RM Sotheby's on August 20, 2016, lot 231 and at Gooding on August 24 2018, lot 30.
That American Underslung 50 hp coming for sale was made in 1908. It had attracted the attention of Sam Mann by its remarkable overall condition. Its ex factory roadster bodywork brings the exuberant and rare appearance of a genuine survivor of the brass era. To keep it in operating condition, Mann fabricated new wheels.
That American Underslung 50 hp coming for sale was made in 1908. It had attracted the attention of Sam Mann by its remarkable overall condition. Its ex factory roadster bodywork brings the exuberant and rare appearance of a genuine survivor of the brass era. To keep it in operating condition, Mann fabricated new wheels.
This exceptionally rare, high-horsepower 1908 American Underslung 50 HP Roadster...entering the spotlight right now! Who will take home this early American sports car? #GoodingPebble pic.twitter.com/00lpknst1e
— Gooding & Company (@goodingandco) August 25, 2018
Rolls-Royce 40/50 hp
Intro
Designed in 1906 and launched in 1907, the Rolls-Royce 40/50 hp meets all the targets of the engineer. It is powerful and fast, without vibrations. It never breaks down. The first 40/50, still in Rolls-Royce's ownership, accumulated 920,000 km in its first 110 years.
The clientele was immediately targeted : the kings and the rich. This huge vehicle of nearly 5 meters long was reliable, comfortable, fast, and as silent as a ghost. It generated a trend to oversizing which inspired several other manufacturers just before the First World War.
Made in 1907 and considered as the oldest known 40/50 hp in existence, a limousine by Rippon Bros. was sold for $ 1.05M by Gooding in August 2007, lot 133.
The clientele was immediately targeted : the kings and the rich. This huge vehicle of nearly 5 meters long was reliable, comfortable, fast, and as silent as a ghost. It generated a trend to oversizing which inspired several other manufacturers just before the First World War.
Made in 1907 and considered as the oldest known 40/50 hp in existence, a limousine by Rippon Bros. was sold for $ 1.05M by Gooding in August 2007, lot 133.
1
1908 Roi des Belges Tourer
2007 SOLD for $ 1.43M by Gooding
A 1908 40/50 hp coachworked by Henri Labourdette as a Roi des Belges tourer with three seating rows was sold for $ 1.43M from a lower estimate of $ 1M by Gooding in August 2007, lot 134.
It is one of only four surviving 40/50 hp from that year.
It is one of only four surviving 40/50 hp from that year.
2
1909 Roi des Belges Tourer
2007 SOLD for $ 1.5M by Gooding
A 1909 40/50 hp Roi des Belges tourer was sold by Gooding for $ 1.5M from a lower estimate of $ 800K in August 2007, lot 130, and for $ 830K in August 2011, lot 5. The engine is in matching numbers. The coachwork is in the style of Barker. The car has been proven in long distance tours.
Another example from the same year and style was sold for $ 700K by RM Sotheby's on October 5, 2023, lot 446.
Another example from the same year and style was sold for $ 700K by RM Sotheby's on October 5, 2023, lot 446.
1908 Benz Prinz Heinrich
2017 SOLD for $ 1.87M by Bonhams
Automotive and aeronautics are developed in parallel. Races, demonstrations and rallies are organized by wealthy sponsors and by aristocrats. Prince Heinrich, brother of the emperor of Prussia, is supporting a competition that combines tourism and competition.
The Prinz-Heinrich-Fahrt is a stage race on German roads including a few hill climbs. The competition takes place over three consecutive years, 1908 to 1910, for a total of about 6000 Km. The trophy awarded to the winner at the completion of these three events is a silver model car weighing 13.5 Kg offered by the prince.
A Benz 50 hp wins the first of these rallies in 1908. It is a very good advertising for the brand that decides to launch a model of touring car under the name Prinz-Heinrich-Wagen with a considerably increased power which allows to reach 130 km/h.
A Benz 75/105 hp Prinz-Heinrich was sold for $ 1.87M from a lower estimate of $ 1M by Bonhams on November 11, 2017 in the house sale of the Bothwell collection near Los Angeles, lot 420 estimated $ 1M.
Built in 1908 or 1909, this car was exported to the US and frequently used by Barney Oldfield. A great fan of Benz vehicles, Oldfield was nicknamed the Speed King after driving a Blitzen-Benz at 210 Km/h at Daytona Beach in March 1910.
The Prinz-Heinrich-Fahrt is a stage race on German roads including a few hill climbs. The competition takes place over three consecutive years, 1908 to 1910, for a total of about 6000 Km. The trophy awarded to the winner at the completion of these three events is a silver model car weighing 13.5 Kg offered by the prince.
A Benz 50 hp wins the first of these rallies in 1908. It is a very good advertising for the brand that decides to launch a model of touring car under the name Prinz-Heinrich-Wagen with a considerably increased power which allows to reach 130 km/h.
A Benz 75/105 hp Prinz-Heinrich was sold for $ 1.87M from a lower estimate of $ 1M by Bonhams on November 11, 2017 in the house sale of the Bothwell collection near Los Angeles, lot 420 estimated $ 1M.
Built in 1908 or 1909, this car was exported to the US and frequently used by Barney Oldfield. A great fan of Benz vehicles, Oldfield was nicknamed the Speed King after driving a Blitzen-Benz at 210 Km/h at Daytona Beach in March 1910.
World Famous Bothwell Collection Of Historic Motorcars To Be Auctioned at Bonhams https://t.co/T5d65c6P3j pic.twitter.com/nP8hB0jjOh
— BONHAMS (@bonhams1793) August 31, 2017
