The Southern Cape Region of the Mercedes-Benz Club of South Africa has unveiled an exact replica of the 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen, widely recognised as the world’s first automobile, as part of early celebrations marking 140 years of the motorcar.
Originally constructed by Carl Benz in Mannheim in 1885, the pioneering Motorwagen was patented on 29 January 1886 and made its public debut on 3 July that year. According to Mercedes, the three-wheeled vehicle reached a remarkable top speed of 16 km/h for its time. Benz went on to refine the concept through Models No. 2 and No. 3, with an estimated 25 Motorwagens produced between 1886 and 1894.
No retelling of automotive history is complete without Bertha Benz, whose determination helped propel the invention into public consciousness. In August 1888, Bertha undertook what Mercedes describes as the world’s first long-distance journey in an internal combustion vehicle. Driving Motorwagen No. 3 and accompanied by her sons Eugen, 15, and Richard, 14, she travelled from Mannheim through Heidelberg to Pforzheim to demonstrate the practicality of her husband’s creation and secure its legacy.
The replica Benz Patent-Motorwagen is now on show at the George Museum, where it will remain from 15 December until 5 January 2026. It also features in the annual Vettoer organised by the Southern Cape Old Car Club, before taking centre stage at the 2026 George Old Car Show. There, Mercedes says it will be displayed alongside a 1901 Benz Ideal from the Crankhandle Club and Waldo and René Scribante’s 1913 8/20 PS Benz Tourenwagen.
Mercedes notes that the replica is on generous loan from the Mercedes-Benz South Africa East London Plant, underscoring the brand’s commitment to preserving and sharing the origins of automotive innovation.
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