The 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen is widely regarded as the first automobile in history, making it an easy choice for our top 10. The Benz Patent-Motorwagen was a three-wheeled automobile with a rear-mounted 954 cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine capable of producing capable of .9 hp (0.67 kW) at 400 rpm. The body was constructed of steel tubing with woodwork panels and steel-spoked wheels with solid rubber tires that were Benz's own design. Steering was accomplished with a toothed rack that pivoted the unsprung front wheel. A simple belt system was used as a single-speed transmission, varying torque between an open disc and drive disc.
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