As car collectors in Pakistan and beyond chase automotive history, the world’s oldest vehicles fetch staggering prices in 2025. Today Pakistan News unveils the top 10 oldest cars—pioneers of motoring—that command millions at auctions, blending rarity, innovation, and legacy. Here’s the countdown, with values reflecting their elite status.
- 1884 De Dion-Bouton et Trepardoux ‘La Marquise’ – $4.6 Million+
Dubbed the oldest running car, this steam-powered marvel won the world’s first auto race in 1887. Sold for $4.6 million in 2011, its value has likely climbed past $6 million by 2025, per inflation and demand, says RM Auctions. - 1885 Benz Patent-Motorwagen – $5 Million (Est.)
Karl Benz’s gasoline-powered trike, patented in 1886, birthed modern cars. Only replicas survive, but an original, if auctioned, could hit $5 million, experts estimate, given its iconic status. - 1886 Hammelvognen – $3-4 Million (Est.)
Denmark’s first car, with a 3-hp two-cylinder engine, boasts brakes and reverse gear. Displayed at Danmarke Tekniske Museum, a sale could fetch $3-4 million for its engineering primacy. - 1891 Panhard et Levassor – $2.5 Million (Est.)
The first production car with a front engine and rear drive, this French pioneer set the layout standard. Its rarity suggests a $2.5 million tag in today’s market. - 1893 Duryea Motor Wagon – $3 Million (Est.)
America’s first gasoline car, built by the Duryea brothers, shaped Ford’s Model T. One survivor at the Smithsonian could command $3 million if auctioned. - 1894 Balzer – $2-3 Million (Est.)
This quirky New York-built trike, with a 3-cylinder rotary engine, is a Smithsonian gem. Its oddity and age could drive bids to $2-3 million. - 1896 Lutzmann 4HP Victoria – $1.5-2 Million (Est.)
A German 4-hp one-cylinder relic, still functional, races in veteran events. Its charm and operability suggest a $1.5-2 million valuation. - 1901 Stevens-Duryea – $1.8 Million (Est.)
With a 7-hp engine and leather seats, this luxury toy for the rich could fetch $1.8 million, reflecting its scarcity and Springfield roots. - 1903 Mercedes-Simplex 60 HP – $10 Million+
The oldest Mercedes on million-dollar auction lists, this 60-hp beast sold for $10 million-plus in past decades, adjusted higher now for its pre-war pedigree. - 1904 Rolls-Royce 10 HP – $7.25 Million
The oldest running Rolls-Royce, sold for $7.25 million in 2007, could exceed $11 million in 2025, per Guinness Records, for its twin-cylinder rarity.
Why So Pricey?
“These cars aren’t just vehicles; they’re time capsules,” says Lahore-based collector Ahmed Khan. Low production, historical significance, and racing pedigrees—like La Marquise’s—fuel their value. Pakistan’s growing car enthusiast scene watches as global auctions, tracked by Hagerty, hit new peaks in 2025.
