1890s Model cars - Vintage Collection in Stock

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Illustration Voitures Rétros Vintage France
The Secret War Against the First Automobiles

Discover the fascinating story of a time when the carriage was still a mechanical curiosity that frightened horses and required a man on foot to precede it.

Did You Know? Anecdotes and Curiosities about our Miniatures

What was the top speed of the first automobiles of the 1890s?

Early automobiles of the 1890s typically reached between 10 and 20 km/h. The Benz Patent Motorwagen of 1886-1894 could reach 16 km/h, which was considered remarkably fast for the time.

Why did cars in the 1890s often look like horse-drawn carriages?

Manufacturers at the time simply adapted existing carriage frames by replacing the horses with an engine. This approach made sense because craftsmen had already mastered the manufacture of horse-drawn carriages, hence the term 'horseless carriage'.

What major technical innovation appeared in automobiles around 1895?

The inflatable tire, invented by John Boyd Dunlop in 1888, began to be fitted to automobiles around 1895. This innovation revolutionized driving comfort, replacing the iron-rimmed wooden wheels that made rides very uncomfortable.

How much did a car cost in the 1890s compared to the average wage?

A car cost the equivalent of 3 to 5 years of a skilled worker's salary. For example, a Peugeot Type 3 cost around 3,000 francs in 1894, when a worker earned 600 to 800 francs per year, making it a luxury reserved for the wealthy.

What was special about starting gasoline-powered cars in the 1890s?

The engine had to be heated with a spirit lamp or a spark plug before it could be started, as there was no reliable electric ignition system yet. The driver also had to turn a crank vigorously, a sometimes dangerous operation that could break the wrist in the event of a backfire.