The 125th Anniversary of the Automobile | Benzel-Busch NJ car dealer

Benz Patent-Motorwagen in the Mercedes Museum taken by Benzel-Busch

On November 2, 1886, Karl Benz was awarded German patent number 37435 marking the birth of the very first automobile.  The design was a simple three wheel chassis with a rear mounted engine.  By the standards of the day, the vehicle was very advanced and contained a number of new innovations including steel tube framing, steel-spoked wheels and solid tires.  These features were of Benz’ own design.  The engine was a 954cc single-cylinder four stroke engine that delivered a whopping 2/3 horse power.  The single front wheel was directed via a toothed rack tiller as the steering wheel was yet to be invented.

Karl Benz wife, Bertha, helped gain notoriety for this incredible invention by taking it on a long distance journey through Germany.  Bertha drove the vehicle approximately 121 miles and acted not only as the driver but as the mechanic as well.  She is reported to have kept the carburetor clean using her hat pin and actually invented the brake lining by asking a local shoemaker to add some leather to brake blocks as they wore down during the journey.

And so began the long and storied history of one of the world’s most important inventions as well as its most prominent car maker. Benzel-Busch Mercedes NJ is proud to continue this great history and tradition.   Happy Birthday to the automobile!