Posted on 10/10/2011 1:44:00 PM PDT by bkopto
The world's oldest running car, an 1884 De Dion Bouton Et Trapardoux Dos-A-Dos Steam Runabout, made history Friday, fetching $4.62 million at RM Auctions' Hershey, Pennsylvania event. Before a packed house, the 127-year-old ride quickly eclipsed its $500,000 starting bid.
By the time the dust had settled, the gavel fell at $4.2 million. The final price included a ten-percent buyer's premium. The crowd began applauding as soon as the car crept onto the stage and the enthusiasm didn't wane until well after the sale.
The Runabout had been in the same family for 81 years prior to the sale, and is one of six De Dion tricycles known to still exist. A total of 20 of the three-wheelers were built. When new, the trike had a top speed of 38 mph and a range of 20 miles on one tank of water. The vehicle that sold last night was the only car to show up for the world's first auto race, where it averaged 16 mph over a 20-mile course.
(Excerpt) Read more at autoblog.com ...
according to post #12, it looks like a cross between a sewing machine, a vendor’s cart, and a locomotive.
There was a time when Helen Thomas could get a date? Who knew!
You can try out a Flash simulation of the Curta here.
If you want a real one, look on eBay.
Up from $170 when I bought it in 1970. As soon as the electronics came out, I knew it was totally obsolete and carefully put it, in its box with the instructions, in my desk and waited for the day, about 40 years later, when it would be a valuable antique/curio. Looks like that day’s here and I’m just going to keep on hanging on to it.
Forerunner of the Tata.
“I have a Curta II model.”
I bet you’re not planning to sell it any time soon, maybe not until the executor of your estate has to deal with it. That’s projection, since it’s just what’s going to happen with mine.
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