Mobile UPI  |   About UPI  |   UPI en Español  |   UPI Arabic  |   UPIU  |   My Account
Search:
Go

Oldest working car up for sale

|
|
 
  
Published: June 30, 2007 at 8:19 PM

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif., June 30 (UPI) -- A French-built, steam-powered car -- believed to be the world's oldest working car -- is for sale in California.

The car, built in 1884, is expected to fetch between $1.5 million and $2 million when it is auctioned off Aug. 19 in Pebble Beach, CNN reported.

The De Dion-Bouton et Trepardoux, nicknamed "La Marquise," has had only two owners beside its original one, French Count De Dion, who was one of the car company's founders. The car is fueled by coal, wood and paper, and runs on solid rubber tires on metal wheels. It can go as fast as 38 mph.

"That's as fast as you want to go," said David Gooding, founder of the auction company. "It feels like going 80 (mph) or 90 mph in a newer automobile. And by newer, I mean 1910."

There may be some other steam-powered vehicles still around that run, but they are essentially rail cars without rails and arguably aren't automobiles, CNN said.

© 2007 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints
  
Join the conversation
Most Popular Collections
The making of the Oscars Cheerleaders of 2012 The Chicago Auto Show
The Tibetan Moniam Festival in China The Most Desirable Women of 2012 The best kisses
Additional Odd News Stories
Your Daily Horoscope
The almanac
1 of 28
Valentine's Day Ramallah, West Bank
View Caption
fark
NASA budget slashes Mars funding, leaving future exploration prospects up to a duck with a speech...
The Seedy, Scandalous History of Valentine's Day
Some of the creepiest trees around that you do not want to stumble upon while under the influence...
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is getting an abortion in the Season 9 Comics. All I got was a lump of...
Portland aiming to reduce transit violence with a little bit of the lovely lovely Ludwig Van
Thou shalt not worketh on the Sabbath, unless you receiveth twice and one half pieces of silver....