The model of the 1886 Benz Motorwagen, made by the Gedee car museum, started its extraordinary drive on Wednesday
G.D. Gopal, managing trustee, Gedee Car Museum (in the car), with his team. (Photo: DC)
Chennai: A replica of the world’s oldest Benz car completed its 500 km non-stop journey successfully, reaching the city on Friday. The model of the 1886 Benz Motorwagen, made by the Gedee car museum, started its extraordinary drive on Wednesday evening from Coimbatore.
A panel of six drivers was involved to ensure the journey was completed safely and the car was put on display to the public at the Hotel Taj Connemara Friday evening. G.D. Gopal, managing trustee, Gedee car museum said, “It was my dream and vision to make a replica of this Benz Wagen. When an opportunity was there to procure a vehicle, our team immediately started working on reverse engineering and students of Gedee technical training institute were asked to make the drawings of the 430 parts and to make prototypes of the same. The manufacturing team had a big challenge because they had to work with the technology which was prevalent in 1886. Many items had to be manufactured in the old way.
“The person who currently manufactures the Benz Wagen was invited to India to have a look at the vehicle made by GD. When asked to scrutinise the replica, he was awestruck because of its better look than the original one. This shows the level of quality that GD had achieved,” he added.
Talking about the journey of the vintage car Gopal said, “We were so confident of the quality and decided to do this heritage motor drive from Coimbatore to Chennai; a distance of 550 km. We are very glad to inform you that the vehicle has performed extremely well in this long drive. Considering even that newer cars fail sometimes on such long drives, this is a remarkable achievement for a vehicle whose design is more than a century old.”
Talking about the event, Har Sahay Meena, IAS said, “We all have dreams but to make them happen, sheer effort and planning is required. This sort of a heritage drive, that too with a vintage vehicle, needs a lot of confidence and preparation.
Mr Achim Fabig, German Consul General, said, “I am not sure whether Karl Benz would have imagined such a marvelous reception in future for his first-patent motor vehicle. He has made Germany proud, and Benz was truly farsighted to create an automated transport vehicle, which has made our lives much easier and comfortable”.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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