World’s oldest car sells for almost £3 million

The world's oldest car, powered by steam has sold in auction in America for $4.6 million (£2.94 million). RM Auctions had initially estimated that the car might sell for around $2 million, but they were clearly underestimating the demand.

This is the highest price ever paid for an early car at auction and includes a 10% ‘buyers premium' which will go to the auction company. As yet, there is no information on the buyer, and we can be sure he, or she will not want their name public either.

The car originated from France in 1884, before even Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz of Germany founded Daimler. Henry Ford completed his first garage built car 12 years after this one and he went on to form the world renowned Ford Motor Company.

The steam powered car, nicknamed ‘La Marquise' was created for the French Count De Dion, one of the original founders of the company who made it. The ‘De Dion-Bouton et Trepardoux' is a four wheeled vehicle fueled by coal, wood and bits of paper. It takes around half an hour to generate enough steam to be able to move. Top speed is rated at 38 miles per hour.

Kitguru says: Ideal for a run to Tescos on a Saturday morning?

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