Following Carl Benz’s engineering marvel—the Benz Patent-Motorwagen—his next model, the Benz Velocipede, often shortened to “Velo”, was introduced with the idea of creating mass motoring. Recognised as the first standardised serial production car, approximately 1,200 examples were built between 1984 and 1902.

This car, chassis 610, was delivered on 26 July 1897 to the Temperino Brothers in Turin, Italy. In 1922, it was acquired by a gallery owner and Chairman of the Torino Veteran Car Club, Professor Elio Quaglino. Copies of photographs from the mid-1960s show him exhibiting the Velo at various events, with the body painted red.

He parted ways with chassis 610 after 50 years in September 1972 and sold the car to the collector and owner of the Museo delle Comunicazioni, Giacomo Tavoletti. The Velo remained on display and in possession of his family until 2016.

A year later, this Benz Velo was acquired by The Aumann Collection. At this time, the car had been repainted in the traditional shade of black. Mr Aumann spent approximately €35,000 on restoring the Velo (invoices available to view on file) to be in line with the condition of his other vehicles.

This Velo is truly a wonderful example of Carl Benz’s early engineering prowess, and with just three previous known owners from new, it is sure to attract the attention of veteran car enthusiasts.