World's Oldest Car to be Auctioned

No speed demon, ancient auto could still fetch millions
By Dustin Lushing,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 8, 2007 2:41 PM CDT
World's Oldest Car to be Auctioned
Self-Propelled Car   (Archive Photos)

The oldest car that can still be driven will be auctioned off in Pebble Beach, CA this August. It could go for as much as $2M, reports CNN. The steam-powered, four-wheeled De Dion-Bouton et Trepardoux—nicknamed "La Marquise"—was built in France in 1884, some 13 years before Henry Ford came up with a gas-powered vehicle here.

"La Marquise" had its first test-drive in 1887, covering 19 miles at an average speed of 26 mph. Powered by coal, wood, and bits of paper, the car takes about 30 minutes to rev up, with a maximum speed of 38 mph. In 1888, La Marquise won the world's first car race, besting a three-wheeler (More cars stories.)

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