Most historians agree that Karl Benz's first
prototype of 1885 was the worlds first petrol-powered
car. Benz was to start out working as a carriage
builder and at a stationary engine manufacturer,
where he quickly thought it a good idea to combine
the two to make a better mode of transport.
It would take him 5 years, and a couple of partners
(allowing him to concentrate on his engineering)
to see the first Benz tricycle reach limited
production.
This three-wheeler morphed into
the four-wheel Viktoria in 1891, forming the
basis for van and bus versions. The four-wheel
version became very popular, and by the turn
of the century Benz was the largest
automobile manufacturer. Fierce competition from other
manufacturers would see Benz leave the company
bearing his name, in favour of Hans Nibel, who
soon embarked on a motor racing effort that
would once again raise the companies profile. Most noteable was the "Blitzen-Benz",
powered by a 21.5 litre airship engine! Designed
to hold the land speed record, it not only achieved
it but would hold the record for another decade.
Economic hardship following World War I forced
Benz to merge with another German manufacturer,
Daimler.
