Equipment
Lefthand drive, tiller steering, folded trumpet bulb horn, Lucidus acetylene headlights and generator, Red wire wheels, solid rubber rear tires, double chain drive, Besnard kerosene taillight, friction block brakes on the rear tires, elliptical leaf sprin
Condition
Garage Piel Melesse lettered on the back panel. The front and rear seat cushions have been replaced, otherwise the upholstery and everything else is original and amazingly well-preserved. Updated ignition and carburetor. Single family owned since 1953. A real prize.
Market commentary
People pay $50,000 or more for a George Bentley Engineering or Mercedes-Benz apprentice replica of Karl Benz's original Patent Motorwagen, which makes this miraculously preserved and functional real Benz Velociped Comfortable a huge value in history and preservation. Maybe it was because this is a Benz offered at an auction in a country that reveres de Dion-Boutons, but this is one of the great values of Retromobile auction week.