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In 1973 I saw a Benz being rebuilt by a Mr Hughes on Ballyrichard farm next to my father's farm, Priestown, near the village of Drangan, Co. Tipperary in Ireland. It had four wire-spoked wheels with white solid rubber tyres imprinted with 1888. A single set of transverse leaf springs at the front and a pair on the back axle supported the body. It was a four stroke, water cooled, single cylinder horizontal engine with oil drip lubrication. There were three valves: exhaust, air inlet and an air and petrol inlet controlled by a speed governor, which prevented this valve opening if the speed was above a set value. When this valve was operated it drew air across a pool of petrol during the suction stroke. A continuous spark was generated during the power stroke to ignite the petrol/air mix.
There was an open-to-the-air differential on the back axle which was driven by a movable belt on pulleys, giving two forward speeds as well as neutral. A separate twisted belt gave reverse. The belts served as clutches.
I understand that in about 1905 it was bought second-hand for ten shillings and driven down from Dublin. I think Mercedes-Benz in Dublin later bought it for their show room for £8000.
I would be most interested to know where it is now and if it is as old as the 1888 date on the tyres.
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