All of us have seen those vintage car rallies, showcasing hundred year old engineering and designing. All of us have been left in awe to the extent people go to maintain and preserve their vintage car collections. That barometer have been pushed one step further by the news of record setting auctioning of 1899 Columbia Electric Landaulet. This marvelous piece of machinery which is also an electric car was sold for $550,000, which is a world record.
The car’s first prototype was created in 1897 by Colonel Albert pope who was looking for a breakthrough in the automotive industry. The breakthrough finally came once he appointed Hiram Percy maxim as the head of the pope manufacturing company. The 1899 Columbia Electric Landaulet followed two years later. Three years down the line Columbia automobile was producing 22 electric cars. When the production was finally halted in the 1913, over 27,000 models were already in circulation.
1899 Columbia Electric Landaulet is truly a feat in engineering. The car consists of 2 direct drive current motors and a three way adjustable top. The design is also a testament to the emphasis on strength at the time it was made. Both front and back axles are solid enough, along with complete elliptical leaf springs. On the downside there is no GPS, satellite coverage or power steering. But one can be sure that it is the beauty of the beast and not the specifications that the bidder was looking for.
Other bids at the RM Auction were also hair rising. The 1938 Bugatti type fetched $693,000. Other high bids included the sale of 1968 Ferrari for a staggering $1.485 million. To add cherry on the cake a Porsche 911 once belonging to the Hollywood legend Steve McQueen was sold for $1.375 million.
Via: Autoblog
