Description

This 1884 'De Dion Bouton Et Trapardoux Dos-A-Dos Steam Runabout' is a steam-powered trike with a top speed of 38mph for up to 20 miles on just one tank of water.

At 133 years old, the Runabout was the ONLY vehicle to participate in the worlds first car race - earning the title of the fastest car in the world in 1887 by averaging 16mph over a 0 mile course

110 years later, the Runabout - now part of a new family which held onto it for over 80 years before selling her at auction - won a double award in the 1997 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

Don't be surprised if you think you've seen this trike before; The previous owner competed several of the classic London - Brighton runs in the Runabout, before eventually deciding to part with her in 2011 through RM Auctions in Pennsylvania, with a guide price of $500,000.

At the final hit of the gavel, bidders had run the price up to $4.2m, and the Runabout was sold again. As one of only 20 of the model ever made, and with only 6 known to still be in existence, it truly is a sight to see a 133 year old trike still running and riding.

Click here to research price history on the De Dion in the Market Watch section of the Flymall