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We reported earlier in 2011 that a steam-powered car, considered the oldest running vehicle in the world, was to be auctioned.
This piece of motoring history was valued at the equivalent of about R20-million but by the time the gavel came down potential buyers had gone a little further - to R36-million!
The 1884 De Dion Bouton et Trapardoux Dos-a-Dos Steam Runabout had been owned by one family for the past 81 years; indeed, it had had only four owners since it was built 127 years ago and named "La Marquise" after the Count de Dion's mother competed in the the world's first car race.
It must be pointed out that it was the only motorised vehicle to pitch up but that didn't stop La Marquise from reaching almost 60km/h over the 32km course.
The steam-powered vehicle could give modern cars a run for their money with a cruising range of 32km on a single tank of water.
MOTORING HISTORY
US media reports noted that another car, housed at the National Motor Museum of England, also claimed to be the world's oldest motor vehicle. However, the British car, built in 1875 by Robert Neville Grenville, has only three wheels, requires someone to ride along and tend the boiler, and bears little resemblance to a modern automobile.
The American auction house reported that La Marquise was "one of the most important motor cars in the world". The catalogue entry read: "With impeccable provenance, fully documented history, and the certainty that this is the oldest running family car in the world, 'La Marquise' represents an unrepeatable opportunity for the most discriminating collector.
"It is unquestionably and quite simply one of the most important motor cars in the world."
Watch a video on the La Marquise history below:
This piece of motoring history was valued at the equivalent of about R20-million but by the time the gavel came down potential buyers had gone a little further - to R36-million!
The 1884 De Dion Bouton et Trapardoux Dos-a-Dos Steam Runabout had been owned by one family for the past 81 years; indeed, it had had only four owners since it was built 127 years ago and named "La Marquise" after the Count de Dion's mother competed in the the world's first car race.
It must be pointed out that it was the only motorised vehicle to pitch up but that didn't stop La Marquise from reaching almost 60km/h over the 32km course.
The steam-powered vehicle could give modern cars a run for their money with a cruising range of 32km on a single tank of water.
MOTORING HISTORY
US media reports noted that another car, housed at the National Motor Museum of England, also claimed to be the world's oldest motor vehicle. However, the British car, built in 1875 by Robert Neville Grenville, has only three wheels, requires someone to ride along and tend the boiler, and bears little resemblance to a modern automobile.
The American auction house reported that La Marquise was "one of the most important motor cars in the world". The catalogue entry read: "With impeccable provenance, fully documented history, and the certainty that this is the oldest running family car in the world, 'La Marquise' represents an unrepeatable opportunity for the most discriminating collector.
"It is unquestionably and quite simply one of the most important motor cars in the world."
Watch a video on the La Marquise history below:
