(September 23, 2011) What has been claimed to be the oldest motorized vehicle in the world will be on the auction block the evening of Oct. 7. The 1884 De Dion Bouton Et Trepardoux Dos-A-Dos runabout will be included in the annual Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey sale by RM Auctions.

The 127-year-old steam car is expected to fetch between $2 million and $2.5 million.

The two-day auction Oct. 6 and 7 is part of the annual AACA Eastern Fall Meet on the grounds of Hershey Park in Hershey, Pa., Oct. 5-8. It is one of the world's largest four-day swap meets and car corral gatherings.

The two-day auction will be held at the Hershey Lodge on the western edge of downtown Hershey. The RM Auction catalog is loaded with vintage vehicles led by the De Dion four-wheel steam car. Its twin compound steam engines are capable of propelling the vehicle up to 38 mph with a range of 20 miles on a tank of water.

Describing the steam car, RM Auctions' book notes, "The mechanical breakthrough, which led to the building of La Marquise (the De Dion family name for the car), was a new boiler design. The vertical boiler was much shorter and consisted of concentric rings, rather like Russian dolls.

"The two engines beneath the floor drove close-set back wheels via locomotive cranks. Water was carried in a tank under the seat, coke or coal in a square bunker surrounding the boiler. Coke was withdrawn via drawers at the bottom and poured down a pipe in the center of the boiler onto the fire beneath.

"Driving 'La Marquise,' Bouton participated in the first motor car race in 1887 (he was the only car to show up), averaging 16 mph for the 20 miles from Paris to Versailles and back and hitting 37 mph on the straights, according to an observer who timed him."

The French vehicle has had just four owners, including a single family ownership of 81 years, since it was constructed. It is being offered from the estate of noted collector John O'Quinn.

Click here for more information on the Hershey auction.

Source: Hemmings Daily Blog