The Benz Patent Motorcar

Well, hello there!

Thanks for checking out my recreation of the The Benz Patent-Motorwagen ("patent motorcar"). Built in 1885 by Carl Benz, it is widely regarded as the world's first production automobile. Everyone's got to start somewhere, and the Benz Patent-Motorwagen may be regarded as the grandparent of the automobile. My model is a 1/14 scale reproduction of that magnificent design.

If you'd like to find out more, please check out this cool information page at the Mercedes-Benz website:

This car, with it's wood and metal tubing, steel-spoked wheels, and exposed engine presented a challenge I just couldn't pass up. My goal was to keep the lightness and intricacies of the original design, while still giving it that classic LEGO feel. Context is important, so I wanted the base to reflect the time-period that this car was invented in. The lamp and paving styles are based on antique designs from where I live in Germany.

       - Dimensions: - Height 24cm (9.5")

                              - Length 28cm (11")

                              - Width 27cm (10.5")

       - Piece count: ~ 875

       - Dimensions: - Height 15cm (6")

                              - Length 24cm (9")

                              - Width 16cm (6")

       - Piece count: ~350

    Fun challenges of the build:

      - Offset cobblestones and sidewalk in a square frame

      - Back steel-spoked wheels

      - Curved steel-tubed body structure

      - Keeping measurements as close as possible to the original :)

This would make a great LEGO set for its uniqueness and visual appeal, as well as its non-standard LEGO styling. Mercedes-Benz is a popular car manufacturer and the Benz Patent-Motorwagen is a classic design that would appeal to a wider audience of not only adult LEGO fans, but to car enthusiasts and history buffs as well. I got back into LEGO after finding a unique set that re-sparked my joy of discovery; and I believe and hope this set could do the same for others.

I hope that you find as much joy in my model as I did while researching and building it.

Thank you for your support!