The Southern Cape Region of the Mercedes-Benz Club of South Africa is proud to announce the exhibition of an exact replica of the 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen, the world’s first automobile, in celebration of the forthcoming 140th anniversary of the motorcar.
Originally constructed by Carl Benz in 1885 in Mannheim, Germany, the pioneering Motorwagen represented a watershed moment in human transportation. The revolutionary vehicle was patented on 29 January 1886 and publicly unveiled on 3 July 1886, achieving a then-remarkable top speed of 16 km/h.
Carl Benz subsequently developed two additional versions—Models No. 2 and No. 3—with approximately 25 Motorwagens produced between 1886 and 1894, establishing the foundation of the modern automotive industry.
Bertha Benz’s historic journey
No narrative of the automobile’s development would be complete without acknowledging Bertha Benz, whose determination and vision provided the world’s first automotive publicity breakthrough. In August 1888, Bertha undertook the Motorwagen No. 3—accompanied by her sons Eugen (15) and Richard (14)—on the first-ever long-distance journey in an internal combustion vehicle.
Her historic expedition from Mannheim, through Heidelberg, to Pforzheim not only demonstrated the practicality of the revolutionary invention but also cemented the Motorwagen’s place in automotive history, proving that the horseless carriage could serve as reliable transportation.
The meticulously crafted replica of the 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen will be displayed at the George Museum from 15 December 2024 until 5 January 2025. The exhibition will provide visitors with an opportunity to examine this historically significant vehicle and appreciate the ingenuity that launched the automotive age.
Special automotive events
The replica will subsequently feature in the annual Vettoer organised by the Southern Cape Old Car Club before forming a centrepiece of the 2026 George Old Car Show. At the latter event, it will appear in a special Benz showcase alongside a 1901 Benz Ideal (Crankhandle Club) and Waldo & René Scribante’s 1913 8/20 PS Benz Tourenwagen, creating a comprehensive display of early Benz automotive heritage.
The replica 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen will be on display at the George Museum from 15 December until 5 January 2026. It will also be featured in the annual Vettoer organised by the Southern Cape Old Car Club and later form a highlight of the 2026 George Old Car Show.
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This historically significant replica has been generously loaned by Mercedes-Benz South Africa East London Plant, demonstrating the company’s commitment to preserving and sharing the origins of automotive innovation with the South African public.
The exhibition represents an exceptional opportunity for automotive enthusiasts and history aficionados to experience a faithful reproduction of the vehicle that transformed human mobility and launched the modern automotive era.
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