The first patent for a gasoline powered vehicle was granted in 1886 to Karl Benz. This original version of the car was predated by a steam powered vehicle which was invented by Nicolas- Joseph Cugnot in 1769. The vehicle built by Benz was the first car according to most historians.
Various precursors to the Benz engine began to pop up in the 1800’s from internal combustion to electric. It wasn’t until 1887 when vehicles began being produced. Karl Benz made 3 copies of his gasoline powered vehicle. It wasn’t until 1908 when Henry Ford began producing vehicles in mass. The assembly line and Ford Motors Company’s Model T mark a mile stone in automobile production and the production industry as a whole.
World Wide Early Car History

Many people believe that Henry Ford invented the car. While Ford and the assembly line marked a huge advancement in the industry, it was Karl Benz in Germany who invented the first car in 1886 according to most historians. Before the internal combustion gasoline vehicle there were steam powered engines and vehicles.
In the 19th century, many advancements were made that contributed to the invention of the modern car. Some of these inventions included the transmission and brakes.
Steam powered vehicles continued to evolve and were popular options for consumers up until 1930 where their market share was was mostly over taken by gasoline vehicles. Into World War II both gasoline powered internal combustion engines and steam powered engines were used frequently.
Why Did Karl Benz Invent The Car
Karl Benz had a passion for bicycles, which inspired him to create the first vehicle. The vehicle was built similarly to a backwards tricycle having one tire in the front and 2 in the back. The engine was built directly into the vehicle making it the first of it’s kind.
Benz named his vehicle Motorwagen and it could carry up to two passengers. Other notable inventions from Benz include the electric ignition, spark plugs, and clutch.
Several years later, the 3 wheeled model of the Motorwagen was replaced with a 4 wheeled model which they called the Motor Velocipede. These vehicles were produced for 7 years between 1894 and 1901. 1200 total vehicles were made making this the world’s firs series produced car.
Early American Car History

The first Americans to create an automobile were the brothers Charles and Frank Duryea in 1893. Like many other pioneers in the industry, Charles and Frank got started as bicycle mechanics. They were responsible for designing the first successful American gasoline combustion engine automobile. 3 years later, in 1896, they began selling the car.
Many “car manufacturers” entered the market over the next 15 years (about 500), but the one who found the most success was Henry Ford in 1906 when he brought forth the Model T. The car was affordable and durable making it the first choice among consumers. In 1913 Ford introduced a new manufacturing process, the assembly line, which continued to drive manufacturing costs lower giving Ford Motor Companies a distinct advantage over its competition.
Thanks to the assembly line, the United States manufactured over 3/4 of the world’s vehicles in 1913.
In 1914, the Model 30 was introduced by the Dodge Brothers.
In 1925 the Chrysler Corporation was founded.
When Were Cars First Invented In America?
Charles and Frank Duryea are credited with creating the first successful American car in 1893. They began selling these cars in 1893. The Model T is the most famous early American made car which became available in 1906.
When Were Cars First Available To The Public

Cars were first available to the public at the very end of the 19th century. In 1896 Charles and Frank Duryea began selling cars on American soil. Prior to this, Karl Benz began selling cars in 1894. While cars were available to the public at this time, they were something only the extremely wealthy could afford.
In 1906 the release of the Model T began to change the barrier of price for many Americans to purchase a vehicle. In the 1913 and up until
What Was The Least Expensive Car In The Early 1900s

The Model T was the most affordable car in the 1900’s. Henry Ford’s mission was to put a car in front of the home of every American, to do this he knew the vehicle needed to be affordable. After the introduction of the assembly line in 1913 the price of Ford’s Model T dropped significantly. Ford Motor Company continued to drop the price until 1927 when the car market shifted from affordability to design and customization.
Year | Number Produced | Price | Current equivalent Cost |
---|---|---|---|
1909 | 10,666 | $825 | $23,763 |
1910 | 19,050 | $900 | $24,998 |
1911 | 34,858 | $680 | $18,887 |
1912 | 68,773 | $590 | $15,822 |
1913 | 170,211 | $525 | $13,747 |
1914 | 202,667 | $440 | $11,368 |
1915 | 308,162 | $390 | $9,977 |
1916 | 501,462 | $345 | $8,205 |
1917 | 735,020 | $500 | $10,100 |
1918 | 664,076 | $500 | $8,603 |
1919 | 498,342 | $500 | $7,464 |
1920 | 941,042 | $395 | $5,103 |
1920 | 463,451 | $395 | $5,103 |
1921 | 971,610 | $325 | $4,716 |
1922 | 1,301,067 | $319 | $4,932 |
1923 | 2,011,125 | $364 | $5,529 |
1924 | 1,922,048 | $265 | $4,002 |
1925 | 1,911,705 | $260 | $3,837 |
1926 | 1,554,465 | $360 | $5,263 |
1927 | 399,725 | $360 | $5,363 |
1920’s Vehicles

Were There Cars In The 1900s?
Yes, there were cars in the early 1900s but they were not prevalent until the 1910’s. The Model T was invented in 1906 by Henry Ford and was the first somewhat affordable option for the American people. It wasn’t until 1913 and the introduction of the assembly line that cars began to appear in front of homes in increasing volume. The 1920’s are when the automobile really began to make traction. By the end of the 1929 25% of Americans owned a vehicle.
What Was The Most Expensive Car In The 1920’s?
The most expensive vehicle in 1922 was made by Rolls Royce and cost 12,900 which is approximately the value of $202,814 in today’s money 100 years later.
How Much Did Cars Cost in 1922?
Car’s on average cost around $2474 among the 240 or so vehicles being manufactured at that time. The range of prices varied from $393 for the Ford Model T to $12,900 for the Rolls Royce 7 – Sedan.
Below we’ve compiled a complete list of vehicles manufactured in 1922 and their prices. This data was provided by 1920-30.com
MAKE | MODEL | PRICE |
---|---|---|
American | 5-Touring | $1,785 |
American | 4-Sport | $1,885 |
American | 5-Sedan | $2,485 |
Anderson, C | 5-Touring | $1,495 |
Anderson, E | 5-Sedan | $1,995 |
Anderson, G | 4-Sport | $1,595 |
Apperson, 8-21 | 4-Sportster | $2,620 |
Apperson, 8-21 | 7-Touring | $2,645 |
Apperson | 4-Sedanet | $3,625 |
Auburn, 6-51H | 5-Touring | $1,475 |
Auburn 6-51 | 5-Sedan | $2,345 |
Barley | 5-Touring | $1,800 |
Bay State | 5-Touring | $2,500 |
Bay State | Sedan | $1,195 |
Birch, Light Four | 5-Touring | $5,000 |
Brewster | 5-Touring | $1,195 |
Buick, 22-45 | 5-Touring | $1,985 |
Buick 23-47 | 5-Sedan | $885 |
Buick, 35 | 5-Touring | $1,395 |
Buick, 37 | 5-Sedan | $3,150 |
Cadillac | 7-Touring | $4,100 |
Cadillac | 5-Sedan | $1,790 |
Case, X | 5-Touring | $2,575 |
Case, X | 7-Sedan | $1,185 |
Chalmers, C | 5-Touring | $1,595 |
Chalmers, C | 4-Coupe | $895 |
Champion, Tourist | 5-Touring | $1,645 |
Chandler | 7-Touring | $1,645 |
Chandler | 4-Dispatch | $2,375 |
Chandler | 7-Sedan | $525 |
Chevrolet, Superior | 5-Touring | $860 |
Chevrolet, Superior | 5-Sedan | $1,395 |
Chevrolet, FB-40 | 5-Sedan | $885 |
Chevrolet, FB-50 | 5-Touring | $1,095 |
Cleveland | 5-Touring | $1,585 |
Cleveland | 5-Touring | $2,250 |
Climber | 5-Touring | $1,085 |
Coats | 7 Tourster | $2,685 |
Cole 890 | 4-Sportster | $2,685 |
Cole, 890 | 6-Sportsedan | $3,685 |
Cole, 890 | 5-Touring | $1,475 |
Columbia | 5-Touring | $2,350 |
Columbia | 5 Touring | $985 |
Columbia | 4-Sport | $1,985 |
Comet | 5-Touring | $1,345 |
Crow-Elkhart, L-54 | 4-Sport | $1,095 |
Crow-Elkhart, L-55 | 5-Touring | $1,595 |
Crow-Elkhart, S-64 | 4-Sport | $1,345 |
Crow-Elkhart S-65 | 5-Touring | $6,025 |
Daniels, D | 7-Suburban | $4,350 |
Daniels, D | 7-Touring | $4,850 |
Daniels, D | 2-Speedster | $1,595 |
Davis, 61 | 5-Touring | $1,695 |
Davis, 63 | 4-Sport | $2,095 |
Davis, 66 | 4-Coupe | $1,295 |
Davis, 71 | 5-Phaeton | $995 |
Dixie Flyer | 5-Touring | $1,145 |
Dixie Flyer | 4-Sport | $1,395 |
Dixie Flyer | 5-Touring | $880 |
Dodge | 5-Sedan | $1,440 |
Dodge | 7-Touring | $3,950 |
Dorris | 7-Sedan | $5,750 |
Dorris | 5-Touring | $835 |
Dort | 5-Sedan | $1,385 |
Dort | Sedan | $1,095 |
Driggs | 5-Touring | $1,275 |
Driggs | Sedan | $1,975 |
Duesenberg | Touring | $6,500 |
DuPont | 4-Touring | $3,200 |
Durant | 5-Touring | $890 |
Durant | 5-Sedan | $1,365 |
Durant | Touring | $1,650 |
Durant | Sedan | $2,400 |
Earl | 5-Touring | $1,095 |
Earl | Sedan | $1,795 |
Elcar, D | 5-Touring | $1,095 |
Elcar, D | 5-Touring | $1,395 |
Elcar, H | 4-Sportster | $1,095 |
Elcar, H | 4-Sportster | $1,395 |
Elcar, | 4-Suburban | $2,065 |
Elcar, G | 5-Sedan | $2,065 |
Elgin | 5-Touring | $1,125 |
Elgin | 4-Scout | $1,125 |
Elgin | 5-Sedan | $1,645 |
Essex | 5-Touring | $1,045 |
Essex | 5-Coach | $1,245 |
Fiat, 501 | 5-Touring | $1,995 |
Fiat, 501 | 4-Sedan | $2,495 |
Fiat, 505 | 7-Touring | $3,500 |
Fiat, 505 | 7-Brougham | $5,500 |
Fiat, 510 | 7-Touring | $5,400 |
Fiat, 510 | 7-Brougham | $7,400 |
Fiat, 510 | 4-Sport Tour | $5,700 |
Ford | 5-Touring | $393 |
Ford | 5-Sedan | $595 |
Fox | S-Touring | $3,900 |
Franklin | 5-Touring | $1,950 |
Franklin | Sedan | $2,850 |
Gardner | 5-Touring | $895 |
Gardner | 5-Sedan | $1,345 |
Gearless | 5-Touring | $2,600 |
Grant | 5-Touring | $1,385 |
Grant | 5-Sedan | $1,945 |
Gray | 5-Touring | $490 |
HCS | 4-Touring | $2,475 |
HCS | Sedan | $3,475 |
Handley-Knight | 7-Touring | $2,450 |
Handley-Knight | 7-Sedan | $3,450 |
Hanson | 5-Touring | $1,595 |
Hanson | 4-Sport | $1,695 |
Hanson | 5-Sedan | $2,585 |
Hanson | 5-Touring | $995 |
Hatfield, A-42 | 5-Touring | $1,345 |
Haynes, 75 | 7-Touring | $2,395 |
Haynes, 75 | 7-Sedan | $3,395 |
Haynes, 48 | 7-Touring | $2,895 |
Haynes, 55 | 5-Touring | $1,495 |
Haynes, 55 | 5-Sedan | $2,395 |
Holmes | 7-Touring | $2,500 |
Holmes | 7-Sedan | $3,600 |
Hudson | 7-Phaeton | $1,575 |
Hudson | 7-Sedan | $2,295 |
Hupmobile | 5-Touring | $1,150 |
Hupmobile | 5-Sedan | $1,785 |
Jackson | 5-Touring | $1,485 |
Jewett | 5-Touring | $995 |
Jewett | Sedan | $1,465 |
Jordan | 5-Touring | $1,195 |
Jordan | 7 Sedan | $2,485 |
King | 7-Touring | $1,795 |
Kin | 7-Sedan | $2,550 |
King | 4-Foursome | $1,795 |
Kissel | 7-Touring | $2,385 |
Kissel | 6-Sedan | $3,075 |
Kline | 5-Touring | $1,790 |
Kline | 5-Sedan | $2,890 |
Kurtz Automatic | 5-Touring | $2,050 |
Lafayette | 7-Touring | $4,090 |
Lafayette | 4-Torpedo | $4,090 |
Lafayette | 7-Sedan | $5,500 |
Leach, 9-99 | 5-Touring | $5,500 |
Lexington | 7-Sedan | $2,545 |
Lexington | 5-Touring | $1,695 |
Liberty | 7-Sedan | $1,395 |
Liberty | 5-Touring | $1,575 |
Liberty | 5-Touring | $2,095 |
Lincoln | 4-Speedster | $3,800 |
Lincoln | 5-Sedan | $4,700 |
Locomobile | 7-Touring | $7,600 |
Locomobile | 5-Sedan | $11,000 |
McFarlan, 147 | 7-Touring | $6,300 |
Marmon | 7-Sedan | $3,185 |
Marmon | 7-Touring | $4,385 |
Maxwell | 7-Touring | $885 |
Maxwell | 7-Sedan | $1,335 |
Mercer | 5-Touring | $3,950 |
Mercer | 5-Sedan | $3,950 |
Mercer | 4-Sportabout | $5,250 |
Mercer | 6-Touring | $3,750 |
Merit | 5-Limousine | $1,895 |
Meteor | 7-Touring | $3,500 |
Mitchell | 4-Touring | $1,590 |
Mitchell | 2-Roadster | $2,275 |
Mitchell | 5-Touring | $950 |
Monroe | 4-Sport | $1,785 |
Moon, 6-58 | 5-Sedan | $2,485 |
Moon, 6-58 | 5-Touring | $1,195 |
Moon, 6-40 | 5-Touring | $1,240 |
Nash, 691 | 7-Sedan | $2,190 |
Nash, 694 | 5-Touring | $1,395 |
Nash, 697 | 5-Touring | $935 |
Nash, 41 | 7-Sedan | $1,545 |
Nash, 44 | 4-Sport | $2,375 |
National | 5-Touring | $3,825 |
National | 5-Sedan | $2,600 |
Noma | 7-Touring | $3,500 |
Oakland | 5-Touring | $995 |
Oakland | 5-Sedan | $1,545 |
Ogren | 7-Touring | $3,850 |
Oldsmobile, 46 | 7-Touring | $1,735 |
Oldsmobile, 46 | 4-Pacemaker | $975 |
Oldsmobile, 43-A | 5-Touring | $1,595 |
Oldsmobile, 43-A | 5-Sedan | $1,375 |
Oldsmobile, 47 | 4-Touring | $2,025 |
Oldsmobile, 47 | 5-Sedan | $525 |
Overland, 4 | 5-Touring | $875 |
Overland, 4 | 5-Sedan | $3,850 |
Packard, Twin Six | 5-Phaeton | $5,400 |
Packard, Twin Six | 7-Sedan | $2,485 |
Packard, Single Six | 5-Touring | $3,275 |
Packard, Single Six | 5-Sedan | $3,155 |
Paige, 6-66 | 7-Sedan | $2,195 |
Paige, 6-66 | 7-Touring | $1,390 |
Paterson | 5-Touring | $2,395 |
Paterson | 5-Sedan | $2,990 |
Peerless | 7-Touring | $3,900 |
Peerless | 5-Sedan | $1,285 |
Piedmont, 6-40 | 5-Touring | $5,250 |
Pierce-Arrow | 7-Touring | $7,000 |
Pierce-Arrow | 7-Sedan | $2,000 |
Pilot, 6-50 | 5-Touring | $3,000 |
Pilot, 6-50 | 5-Sedan | $1,500 |
Pilot, 6- 45 | 5-Touring | $3,250 |
Premier | 7-Touring | $5,100 |
Premier | 7-Sedan | $2,475 |
R & V Knight, J | 4-Sport | $2,475 |
R & V Knight, J | 7-Touring | $3,105 |
R & V Knight, J | 7-Sedan | $1,665 |
R & V Knight, R | 5-Touring | $2,475 |
R & V Knight, R | 5-Sedan | $1,485 |
Reo | 7-Touring | $2,435 |
Reo | 4-Touring | $3,950 |
Richelieu | 5-Touring | $1,485 |
Rickenbacker | Sedan | $1,985 |
Rickenbacker | 4-Sport | $2,750 |
Roamer, 6-54-E | 7-Touring | $2,785 |
Roamer, 6-54-E | 5-Sedan | $3,850 |
Roamer, 6-54-E | 4-Touring | $3,585 |
Roamer, 4-75-E | 7-Touring | $10,950 |
Rolls-Royce | 7-Sedan | $12,900 |
Rolls-Royce | Blackstone | $1,295 |
Saxon | 5 Touring | $1,195 |
Saxon | 5-Sedan | $1,795 |
Sayers | 5-Touring | $1,645 |
Seneca, L | 5-Touring | $875 |
Skelton | 5-Touring | $1,295 |
Standard | 5-Touring | $3,200 |
Standard | 7-Sedan | $2,395 |
Standard | 7-Touring | $2,395 |
Star | 4-Sport | $442 |
Stearns | 5-Touring | $2,450 |
Stearns | 7-Touring | $3,450 |
Stearns | 5-Sedan | $2,700 |
Stearns | Touring | $3,700 |
Stephens | Sedan | $1,595 |
Stephens | 4-Touring | $2,550 |
Stevens-Duryea | Sedan | $6,800 |
Stevens-Duryea | 7-Touring | $6,900 |
Stevens-Duryea | 4-Sport | $8,000 |
Studebaker, Light 6 | 4-Touring | $975 |
Studebaker, Light 6 | 5-Sedan | $1,550 |
Studebaker, Spec 6 | 5-Touring | $1,275 |
Studebaker, Spec 6 | 5-Sedan | $2,050 |
Studebaker, Big 6 | 7-Touring | $1,610 |
Studebaker, Big 6 | 7-Sedan | $2,475 |
Stutz | 6-Touring | $2,640 |
Stutz | 2-Bearcat | $2,450 |
Templar | 5-Touring | $1,985 |
Templar | 5-Sedan | $2,785 |
Velie, 58 | 5-Touring | $1,275 |
Velie, 58 | 5-Sedan | $1,795 |
Velie, 58 | 5-Sport | $1,305 |
Waltham | 5-Touring | $2,350 |
Westcott, B44 | 7-Touring | $1,890 |
Westcott, 44 | 7-Sedan | $2,890 |
Westcott, A-44 | 5-Touring | $1,690 |
Westcott, 44 | 5-Sedan | $2,690 |
Wills St Claire | 5-Touring | $2,475 |
Wills St Claire | Sedan | $3,475 |
Willys-Knight, 20 | 5-Touring | $1,235 |
Willys-Knight, 20 | 5-Sedan | $1,950 |
Winther, 61 | 5-Touring | $1,595 |
Winton, 40 | 7-Touring | $3,400 |
Winton, 40 | 4-Sport | $3,600 |
How Fast Did Cars Go In The 1920’s?
The fastest car in the 1920’s was the Duesenberg Model J which could top out at speeds of 119 miles per hour. This must have been incredibly frightening considering how few safety features cars had at that time. Most vehicles did not go this fast and could be expected to top out around 75 mph.
Fastest Cars By Decade

Below we’ve compiled a list of the fastest vehicles from the creation of the car in the 1880’s when a horse drawn carriage was the fastest form of transit to current day when super cars top out at speeds of almost 280 miles per hour!
Year | Fastest Vehicle | Top Speed |
1880-1889 | Horse carriage | 10-30 mph (16-48 km/h) |
1890-1899 | Stanley Runabout | 35 mph (56 km/h) |
1900-1909 | Mercedes-Simplex 60HP | 73 mph (117 km/h) |
1910-1919 | Austro-Daimler Prince Henry | 85 mph (136 km/h) |
1920-1929 | Duesenberg Model J | 119 mph (191 km/h) |
1930-1939 | Duesenberg Model SJ | 140 mph (225 km/h) |
1940-1949 | Jaguar XK 120 | 132 mph (214 km/h) |
1950-1959 | Aston Martin DB4 GT | 153 mph (246 km/h) |
1960-1969 | Ferrari 365 GTB/4 “Daytona” | 174 mph (280 km/h) |
1970-1979 | Ferrari GT4 Berlinetta Boxer | 175 mph (281 km/h) |
1980-1989 | Ferrari F40 | 202 mph (325 km/h) |
1990-1999 | McLaren F1 | 240 mph (386 km/h) |
2000-2009 | Shelby Super Cars (SSC) Aero | 257 mph (414 km/h) |
2010 | Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport | 268 mph (431 km/h) |
2011 – 2015 | Hennessey Venom GT | 270 mph (434 km/h) |
2015 – today | Koenigsegg Agera RS | 278 mph (447 km/h) |
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