A rare 1914 Benz 18/45 Four Passenger Runabout is now on display at the DFW Car & Toy Museum, providing automotive historians and enthusiasts a remarkable window into the golden age of early motorized transportation. Part of the Ron Sturgeon Collection, this vehicle represents a pivotal moment in automotive design and engineering.
The Benz 18/45 epitomizes luxury motoring of its era, featuring a powerful 4.9-liter four-cylinder L-Head engine producing 45 horsepower. Priced at $3,250 in 1911, the vehicle was a significant status symbol, comparable to modern luxury automobiles in its exclusivity and craftsmanship.
Distinguished by its unique V-shaped radiator and non-standard coachwork, the vehicle reflects the innovative spirit of Karl Benz, who was instrumental in transforming automobiles from horse-drawn carriage descendants into sophisticated machines. The car's design draws from Benz's racing heritage, including the famous Blitzen Benz that set land speed records of 141.7 mph in its time.
Museum visitors can examine this automotive masterpiece, which represents a critical transition in transportation technology. The Benz 18/45 demonstrates how early 20th-century engineers rapidly advanced automotive performance, design, and mechanical sophistication.
