Dutchman builds replica of first Benz built in 1886

Posted on 24-01-2014 at 20:49 by MrBrown – 14 Comments”

It took the 65-year-old Eddy for over three years, but finally he is off. Gentleman has now his homemade replica of the Benz Patent motor car’.

Eddy Hövels originally a bricklayer, has always had a penchant for Mercedes. When he was a 1-in-50 miniature model of the first car ever encountered, he decided to run after him to build. That was not as simple as it seemed, it was true he had some experience with making internal combustion engines, but this was another story. Most of the parts of the original 128-year-old Benz is not for sale and therefore had almost everything single-handedly recreated. In addition, it was difficult to get drawings to come out, Eddy did therefore knowledge with a visit to the Mercedes factories and drawings he made on the internet found.

The Overijsselaar eventually with a self made tool the car in 3500 hours to reproduce. And he has succeeded, the brand new first Benz, and it works! Eddy has the water-cooled four-stroke single cylinder recreated a replica from a museum in Munich. The top speed is 16 km/h and modern technique, so on the public roads with this trike, unfortunately, not possible.

Of course, the owner is very proud of his creation, and I’m guessing that there are quite a lot of fans are back in the purse, like to grope for this exhibit. Unfortunately is the eight thousand euro to components/raw materials costing Benz not to purchase. (via deweekkrant.nl)

Or the man more of his car than of his wife, do you hear in this video: