Harry Gibson on January 5, 2023 No Comments
Have you ever wondered which of the cars that exist can be the old car in the world? Or have you ever imagined what vehicles were like 25 years ago, 50 years ago, or even a century ago? It has been a long way ever since the first car wheeled its way down unsurfaced roads.
Though many car enthusiasts will say that the Ford Model T is the world’s oldest car if asked. This is because of the focus on the great contribution of Henry Ford to the automobile industry.
However, you should be able to know that there are several of the oldest cars in the world before the Ford Model T come into existence. As a true car enthusiast, you should know the true history of cars. You should also be able to know that the first vehicles existing in the world were powered by steam but not by gasoline, they were cumbersome than the internal combustion engines.
The gasoline and diesel-powered engine then become popular gradually. This was because they were easier to produce, more dependable, and economical in operation than steam-powered engines.
As mentioned above, before Henry Ford launched his first Ford Model T, several types of models already existed. Let’s delve deeper into the types of old cars in the world.
The content of this article entails
- Grenville Steam Carriage
- La Marquise
- Benz Motorwagon
- Benz Victoria
- Panhard et Lavessor
- Lutzmann 4HP Victoria
- Delahaye Limousine
- Rolls-Royce
- Ford Model
- Renault 6 CV NN
Old Car In The World: 1769 Cugnot Steamer
The 1769 Cugnot Steamer is the first self-propelled car that made the way for every motor vehicle. It is the oldest car in the world. It was designed by Nicholas Joseph Cugnot in the year 1769.
The Cugnot Steamer was commissioned by the French Minister of War, Etienne-Francois. He wanted something more practical than horses for dragging large caliber guns to the battle lines.
The vehicle was used by the French army to haul guns at a speed of 21 miles per hour on three wheels. The boiler performance of this first self-propelled car was very poor. It needed good maintenance and constant attention. It also took a few people to operate. This vehicle still works with some elbow grease.
1875 Grenville Steam Carriage
The Grenville Steam Carriage is one of the old car in the world that is still running with magnificence after 143 years. It was designed by Robert Neville Grenville from Glasgow around the year 1875.
With assistance from his friend, railway engineer George Jackson Churchward. The two friends victoriously built the seven-passenger road carriage. It comes with a 2-cylinder engine.
The 1875 Grenville Steam Carriage can reach up to 20 miles per hour. This self-propelled passenger-carrying road vehicle has a steel chassis with a mahogany-lagged vertical water-tube boiler.
It was designed in the era when most cars were built by hand. This type of car was very expensive to operate during that era. This car is today displayed at the National Motor Museum.
The Grenville Steam Carriage participated in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Race. It completed the 57-mile run during the race. It utilized 500 pounds of coal as well as 200 gallons of water.
Old Car In The World: 1884 De Dion-Bouton La Marquise
Another old car in the world that still runs today in this list is the De Dion Bouton La Marquise. It was made by the three Frenchmen De Dion, Bouton, and Trepardaux. The La Marquise car was a quadricycle prototype that was named in honor of De Dion’s mother.
It was fuelled by coal, wood, and a piece of paper. This type of vehicle takes at least half an hour to build up enough steam to drive. It reaches a top speed of 38 miles per hour. The La Marquise car comes with beautiful wire-spoked wheels, leather seats, and a black interior.
In 1887, the count of Dion drove this vehicle himself in what is called the first car races though he was the only person racing. The count of De Dion was the one who commissioned the car. At an auction in 2011, the car was sold for over $4.6 million.
In addition, the gold parts on the La Marquise give it the sense of elegance that it deserves. It is one of the important pieces in automotive history.
1886 Hammelvognen
The Hammelvognen was the first car to be designed in Denmark in the year 1886. It is considered as another older car in the world with a reversed gear and brakes. The 1886 Hammelvognen can go for an average speed of 6 miles per hour. It runs on a 2-cylinder engine that delivers 3 horsepower.
The original model of the Hammelvognen car can be seen at the Danmarks Tekniske Museum.
Old Car In The World: 1886 Benz Motorwagen
The Benz Motorwagen also known as patent motorcar was developed by Karl Benz was the world’s first automobile with a stationary gasoline engine, powered by a 954 one-cylinder engine producing a third of a horsepower, a two-stroke unit which ran for the first time in 1879 at a New Year’s Eve celebration.
The chassis, the drive components, and the engine of this type of vehicle were included in one unit. In 1885, the pre-modern two-seater was completed.
It has two large rear wheels and a slender, smaller front wheel. It also has wire-spoked wheels which are similar to those of a bicycle. Fuel was supplied to the engine of the car through evaporation.
In addition, its wooden frame and black leather seating have been fully restored. The horsepower of this vehicle is around 0.75 horsepower. It is also one of the oldest car in the world.
The major features of the patent motorcar were the compact high-speed, single-cylinder four-stroke engine that was installed horizontally at the back tubular steel frame.
The driving speed of the Benz Motorwagen could be controlled by the sleeve valve which was located underneath the driver’s seat. Its brakes were a hand lever acting on the countershaft belt pulley.
1889 Daimler-Maybach Stahlradwagen
This vehicle was developed by Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach after seeing the Panhard’s Daimler-designed V-two engine that was demonstrated at the Paris Exposition in 1889. It was the first official car that did not require dragging a horse-drawn carriage with its engine.
Daimler focused more on power plants while his lifelong friend Maybach was more concerned with the vehicle. The 1889 Daimler-Maybach Stahlradwagen was run on a single-cylinder engine that was located under the driver’s seat.
1892 Peugeot Type 3
The Peugeot Type 3 is another old car in the world that still runs on the road. It was built by a French industrialist and pioneer of the French automotive industry Armand Peugeot. It operates with a V-twin engine that produces 2 horsepower and has four manual bronze gears.
The engine of this vehicle runs at its best when it is filled with a dry cleaning fluid known as Hexane. It can also run on pure alcohol.
1894 Benz Victoria
Another older car in the world on this list is the 1894 Benz Victoria. The 1894 Benz Victoria was made and driven by the owner Karl Benz. It was the very first four-wheeled car to be built by the German mechanical engineer Karl Benz.
This incredible single-cylinder engine produces a total of 4 horsepower. It was the world’s first large-scale production vehicle which paved a way for other vehicles.
The Benz Victoria is a three-speed rear-wheel drive automobile with a top speed of around 20 miles per hour. It was completed with a wooden framework and iron reinforcement.
Its wire-spoked wheels resemble the one for bicycles. The 1894 Benz Victoria also participated in the 2012 London to Brighton Veteran Car Run that was sponsored by Bonhams where it left its marks.
Old Car In The World: 1894 Balzer
This was also another car built in America by the New York Inventor Stephen Balzer. The Balzer was powered by a very lightweight three-cylinder rotary mounted engine. The engine was installed around the stationary crankshaft.
A stud shaft of the car turned with the crankcase and spun the driving gear. There were three powered speeds but no reverse.
Old Car In The World: 1895 Panhard et Levassor
The light high-speed petrol motor was invented by Daimler in the year 1889. It was the first commercially applied to the motor vehicle by Frenchmen Rene Panhard and his friend Emile Levassor in 1891.
On the first model that the two engineers and friends Panhard and Levassor produced together, the engine was placed on the back of the car. They made the 1895 Panhard et Levassor with the front-end design.
The vehicle has a two-cylinder engine that was capable to go for a top speed of up to 15.5 miles per hour producing 4 horsepower. When the wheel steering come for the first time in 1895, the Panhard et Levassor was one of the first wheeled-steered cars. It is also one of the oldest car in the world.
Old Car In The World: Hancock Omnibus
The Hancock Omnibus was built by an English inventor Walter Hancock. It was considered the world’s first commercially successful steam vehicle to ever exist. The vehicle made a successful passenger route between London and Paddington.
The nine railcars that were made transported approximately 4,000 passengers between the years 1832 and 1834. The vehicle required two people to operate it.
The driver sat in the front to steer using the steering wheel, the second operator was responsible for looking after the boiler’s water level while the third operator stood on the rear platform and maintained the fire and braking.
Old Car In The World: 1896 Lutzmann 4HP Victoria
Another old car in the world is the 1896 Lutzmann 4HP Victoria that was owned by Tim and Chris Scott. It is a single-cylinder engine producing 4 horsepower. The vehicle still works today.
The 1896 Lutzmann has entered into many event races including the 2014 London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. With its two large spoked wheels and smaller front wheels, its bodywork is similar to a horseless stagecoach.
It has glossy, black exterior color, and a black leather interior that has been restored. It was built by Freidrich Lutsmannis who was inspired by the initial four-wheeled Benz in producing his first automobile.
Old Car In The World: 1897 Daimler Wagonette
The 1897 Daimler Wagonette is also on the list of the oldest car in the world. It was sold at the Bonhams auction where it was priced at $317,917. In addition, the 1897 Daimler Wagonette was among the vehicles that entered into the 2016 London to Brighton Veteran Car Races.
It is an eight-seater car that has coachwork that was completed by Stirling of Hamilton, South Lanarkshire. It comes with a two-cylinder engine producing 4 horsepower, a four-speed transmission, and a sliding gear. In addition to that, it also has tram-style levers that are placed at the dashboard of the vehicle in front of the operator.
1897 was originally owned by Andrew Wright of Bainsford, Falkirk. He used the vehicle strictly for public services; the car was later sold via auction to J.V Murcott. It was later sold by Bonhams.
Old Car In The World: 1897 Delahaye Limousine
1897 is another old car in the world. This belt-driven vehicle was designed, and built by engineer Emile Delahaye himself. This vehicle has been used in many events runs.
It comes with a signature yellow color exterior which stands bold against its complementary black coloration. It also sports four-spoke wheels that are alike, they all come in a bold yellow color.
Delahaye Limousine is well known for its roadster vehicles and Jeep-like vehicles. It comes with a two-cylinder engine producing 6 horsepower. It was externally restored and well taken care of.
Old Car In The World: 1898 Benz Dogcart
This old car in the world was created by Strouds of Niphon Works but owned by Eric Payne of the West Midlands of England. Its design was considered to be a little horse-drawn carriage. It was believed that the Benz Dogcart was among the first six vehicles it ever created.
Its exterior bodywork was done in polished wood material. It comes with a single-cylinder engine that powered the vehicle with 2 horsepower.
The 1898 Benz Dogcart also had two large self-reliant hand brakes which enabled the vehicle to swiftly stop. It also had two petrol tanks which were able to carry at least 100 miles of fuel. Which was a sufficiently great amount in that era.
With regards to its outward fittings, the standard decoration includes a horn, lamps, tools, and oil cans. The car was originally sold for 189 pounds which translates to $253. It was portrayed at the 2005 Black Country Living Museum in West Midlands, England.
Old Car In The World: 1903 Stevens-Duryea Model L
The Stevens-Duryea Model L has formally owned Harrah’s Automobile Collection and Warwick Eastwood. It was also one of the cars that participated twice in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Races. It is another one of the old car in the world.
The first Duryea Model was created back in the year 1893 by two brothers Frank Duryea and Charles Duryea. The vehicle was powered by a single-cylinder four-stroke water-cooled gasoline engine.
The Duryea’s later collaborated with Stevens to make the Stevens-Duryea Models. During that era, the vehicle cost around $1,300 which was a significant amount for the vehicle.
The vehicle featured an unusual mechanism that allowed the driver to start the engine while seated without starting the crank of the car in the usual front-end location.
This 1903 Stevens-Duryea Model L is also known to be the oldest surviving Stevens-Duryea vehicle in existence. It is a good example of motorcar technology in the first ten years of the 20th century.
According to the representative for the Duryea owners Donald G Meyer, there are around 6 to 8 1903 Duryea vehicles in existence. This adds a very important value to this particular 1903 Model L.
1904 Rolls-Royce
The Rolls-Royce was the first vehicle to be manufactured as a result of the agreement between two engineers Charles Rolls and Henry Royce hence the name Rolls-Royce. It is also another old car in the world.
This two-cylinder engine was water-cooled and was capable of propelling to an average speed of 30 miles per hour when going at the usual engine speed of 1000 rpm.
The vehicle has a roadster-type body with a front-mounted engine that supplies power to the rear wheels. It features an overhead inlet, side exhaust valve gear, and a two-cylinder layout.
Its engine drives the rear wheels through the three-speed gearbox, a propeller shaft, and a rear axle. The vehicle was used by Royce himself because of the limited demand for the 10 hp car early that year.
Old Car In The World: 1904 Wolsey 6
This is another old car in the world that we have on our list. It is owned by Brian Caseley of Sherborne, Dorset. The owner regularly drives it around its hometown.
According to him, the car has never broken down ever since he purchased this vehicle. The vehicle has a single-cylinder engine that goes for an average speed of 29 miles per hour.
The 1904 Wolsey 6 is 115 years old. It was one of the first models that were produced by Fredrick Wolseley’s automobile company. It comes in a beautiful red color which has been restored over the years. The spoked wheels of the 1904 Wolsey come in a bright yellow color.
This car was originally designed by Herbert Austin of Austin Motor Company. The model also has so many unique features.
Old Car In The World: 1908 Ford Model
The Ford Model T is an automobile that was produced by the Ford Motor Company. It was a self-starting vehicle with a left-sided steering wheel. It featured an enclosed four-cylinder engine with a detachable cylinder head and a cylinder block.
The model also featured a good ground clearance that goes through the worst roads. This made it enchanting to rural drivers. Regardless of its lightweight, the vehicle offered superior strength. This was because it was built with vanadium alloy steel.
Model T vehicles come in with different body styles including, a five-seat touring car, a two-seat runabout, and a seven-seat town car. The engine of the Model T vehicles generated 20 horsepower and propelled the vehicle to an average speed of 40 miles per hour.
The vehicle is considered to be the first affordable vehicle that made car travel to middle-class Americans available.
From the year 1908 to 1927, Ford produced over 15 million Model T cars.
Old Car In The World: 1924 Hispano-Suiza H6B Coup de Ville
The 1924 Hispano-Suiza H6B was a Spanish automobile with an aircraft engine. It was designed by Swiss engineer Marc Birkigt and manufactured in India.
During its period, it was considered to be the finest car in the world. It also falls under the old car in the world. The 1924 H6B was slightly more powerful.
They come with a short wheelbase and enlarged engines. It was highly regarded during its year as a luxurious coach car, sporting luxury, and dripping with refinement.
Old Car In The World: 1924 Chrysler Model B-70 Roadster
Introduced in 1924, this was the first model produced by the Chrysler Company. It was considered the best car of its era. The vehicle was restored once in its lifetime and for that; you got to see the re-chromed bumpers and grille. Its body has retained good fundamentals.
The interior of the 1924 Chrysler was built to be easy to use and friendly. It was named for its 70 miles per hour top speed. It comes with an inline L head six engines that produce 68 horsepower.
Old Car In The World: 1925 Renault 6 CV NN
The Renault was designed by Louis Renault. Because of its shape, it was called the ‘’shovel nose’’. The vehicle carried the generic face of a Renault of the time which did not have a radiator grille. This was because Renault placed the radiator after the engine.
The fuel tank of this car was placed immediately after the radiator. This made the car have two filler caps on the bonnet. The cars were sold between 1924 and 1930. They come in different body styles including a 4-door sedan, 4-door torpedo, and the 2-door torpedo.
It had an inline four-cylinder petrol engine under the bonnet producing 17 horsepower and was able to go for an average speed of 75 miles per hour. The 1925 Renault 6 CV NN cars were very reliable, durable, and were also capable to handle even the most damaging situations.
Old Car In The World: Final Thoughts
This article will help all the car enthusiasts who are interested in knowing the history of vehicles, also some of the oldest cars in the world. It is very surprising to see how far automobile history has come a long way.
You should always know that all the vehicles that exist today all have their roots from back in the 1760s. Now that you have learned about the oldest cars in the world, you should know that many vehicles existed before the Ford Model T vehicles.
