Photo: RM Auctions
The world’s oldest running car, which is the steam-powered 1884 De Dion Bouton et Trepardoux Dos-a-Dos Steam Runabout, was just sold for double what RM Auctions originally expected it to fetch. The historic auction in Hershey, Pennsylvania, saw bidding go all the way up to the princely sum of $4,200,000, and after the ten percent commission from the house, the total bill came to $4.62 million.
"We were honored to have been entrusted with the sale of this most important motor car from the renowned collection of the late Mr. John O'Quinn. The world's leading automotive collectors recognized the incredibly rare opportunity the sale represented, as was reflected in the spirited bidding and impressive result," said Rob Myers, Chairman & Founder, RM Auctions following the sale.
Commissioned by French entrepreneur, Count de Dion and named 'La Marquise' after his mother, the car has stayed in the same family for the duration of its 127 life. This little gem is the protagonist of the first car race in history, where 16 mph/ 26 km/h, and it has some more recent prizes, as it won to awards at the 1997 Pebble Beach Concours.
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