The Benz Three-Wheeler

Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz

On January 29th, 1886, Karl Benz patented the first automobile - the three-wheeled Patent-Motorwagen. Later in the same year, just 60 miles away, Gottlieb Daimler patented an internal-combustion engine and began construction of a four-wheeled horseless carriage. At the time, neither man knew of the other's work.

The lightweight Patent-Motorwagen's three-wheeled design seems foreign to us now, but to Karl Benz the design was much more logical than that of a four-wheeled carriage. Benz built the first automobile with a frame of steel tubes, believing that a three-wheeler would be less complicated, lighter and easier to steer than the typical four-wheeled carriage. The rear axle was supported by a full-leaf spring suspension, while the front wheel turned on a solidly mounted axle.

The driver started the engine by spinning a flywheel by hand, and adjusted fuel flow with a handle under the driver's seat. The driver steered with a tiller and controlled the brakes with a large lever on the left side.

Powered by a water-cooled, single-cylinder, rear-mounted engine, the Patent-Motorwagen could reach a top speed of approximately 10 mph and had an engine output of approximately 0.75 hp at 400 rpm.

The first long-distance trip by car occurred in August 1888 when - frustrated with her husband's constant refinement of the automobile - Bertha Benz, along with her children Richard and Eugen, drove the Benz three-wheeler 50 miles from Mannheim to Pforzheim. After a day-long journey - and the discovery that the Benz couldn't travel uphill - the three arrived safely at their destination.

Bertha Benz's journey resulted in a few more refinements to the three-wheeler, including the addition of a low gear that enabled it to climb hills. The three-wheel design prevailed until Benz introduced the Viktoria in 1893. The Mercedes-Benz Classic Center is proud to present the replica Benz three-wheeler, built with the care and craftsmanship that Karl Benz bestowed on the original in 1886.

Specifications:

Engine:

Fundamental data Water-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine with large flywheel, mounted horizontally at the rear.

Bore x stroke 90 x 150 mm
Displacement 954 cc
Compression ratio 1:2.7
Power output 0.75 at 400 rpm

Design:

Horizontal single-cylinder engine with horizontal flywheel. Charge exchange via inlet slide controlled by eccentric rod, vertical outlet valve controlled by cam disc, rocker arm and push rod. Mixture formation in Benz surface carburetor. Evaporator cooling (Thermosyphon). Lubrication via drip oiler with grease box. High-voltage electric buzzer ignition. Engine started by rotating the flywheel.

Running gear:

Steel tube frame. Front axle on steering fork without springs; rear suspension on rigid axle with full elliptical spring. Rack-and-pinion steering. Steering crank in middle of vehicle, no foot brake, hand brake applied to countershaft pulley.

Wheels:

Type: Wire spoke.
Diameter
Front 28.7 in/730 mm
Rear 44.29 in/1,125 mm
Solid rubber tires at front and rear.

Power transmission:

1 flat belt from engine to countershaft with idling and fixed discs and integrated differential.
1 chain from countershaft to each of the two rear wheels.
Transmission/shifting Transfer of belt between idling and fixed discs.
Top speed 9.9 mph
Fuel consumption approximately 24 mpg

Dimensions and weight: