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- 1901 Mercedes-Benz Number 5, circa 1955 - The 1901 Mercedes, built by the German firm Daimler, was one of the first automobiles with the engine up front rather than under the seat. That gave more room for bigger engines and also allowed the chassis to be lowered for easier entry and better road holding. It set the pattern for future cars.

- 1901
- Collections - Artifact
1901 Mercedes-Benz Number 5, circa 1955
The 1901 Mercedes, built by the German firm Daimler, was one of the first automobiles with the engine up front rather than under the seat. That gave more room for bigger engines and also allowed the chassis to be lowered for easier entry and better road holding. It set the pattern for future cars.
- Barney Oldfield in "Lightning Benz" next to Ralph DePalma in a Fiat, Daytona Beach, Florida, March 16, 1910 - On March 16, 1910, Barney Oldfield sped down the ocean-washed sands at Daytona Beach, Florida. Piloting the "Lightning Benz," Oldfield topped 131 miles per hour to set a new one-mile world's speed record -- exceeding the previous mark of 127.6 mph. A week later, Oldfield broke the two-mile and one-kilometer speed records in the same vehicle.

- March 16, 1910
- Collections - Artifact
Barney Oldfield in "Lightning Benz" next to Ralph DePalma in a Fiat, Daytona Beach, Florida, March 16, 1910
On March 16, 1910, Barney Oldfield sped down the ocean-washed sands at Daytona Beach, Florida. Piloting the "Lightning Benz," Oldfield topped 131 miles per hour to set a new one-mile world's speed record -- exceeding the previous mark of 127.6 mph. A week later, Oldfield broke the two-mile and one-kilometer speed records in the same vehicle.
- Barney Oldfield and Former Boxing Champion Jim Jeffries in "Blitzen Benz," 1910 - In 1910, Barney Oldfield piloted the "Blitzen Benz." This powerful, German-made machine was built for speed. With Oldfield behind the wheel, the vehicle broke numerous track records throughout the year, including the world's land speed record. This photo shows the auto racing legend behind the wheel with former boxing champion Jim Jeffries.

- 1910
- Collections - Artifact
Barney Oldfield and Former Boxing Champion Jim Jeffries in "Blitzen Benz," 1910
In 1910, Barney Oldfield piloted the "Blitzen Benz." This powerful, German-made machine was built for speed. With Oldfield behind the wheel, the vehicle broke numerous track records throughout the year, including the world's land speed record. This photo shows the auto racing legend behind the wheel with former boxing champion Jim Jeffries.
- Barney Oldfield Driving the "Blitzen Benz" Car on a Racetrack, 1910 - In 1910, Barney Oldfield piloted the "Blitzen Benz." This powerful, German-made machine was built for speed. In March, the existing world's land speed record fell as the race car -- then named "Lightning Benz" -- bolted down the sands of Daytona Beach, Florida, at over 131 miles per hour. With Oldfield behind the wheel, the vehicle broke numerous track records throughout the year.

- 1910
- Collections - Artifact
Barney Oldfield Driving the "Blitzen Benz" Car on a Racetrack, 1910
In 1910, Barney Oldfield piloted the "Blitzen Benz." This powerful, German-made machine was built for speed. In March, the existing world's land speed record fell as the race car -- then named "Lightning Benz" -- bolted down the sands of Daytona Beach, Florida, at over 131 miles per hour. With Oldfield behind the wheel, the vehicle broke numerous track records throughout the year.
- Schoolboys Following a Benz Automobile, circa 1901 - This photograph, taken about 1901, shows a group of inquisitive schoolboys attracted to a Benz automobile. Karl Benz of Germany developed the world's first practical gasoline-powered automobile in 1885.

- circa 1901
- Collections - Artifact
Schoolboys Following a Benz Automobile, circa 1901
This photograph, taken about 1901, shows a group of inquisitive schoolboys attracted to a Benz automobile. Karl Benz of Germany developed the world's first practical gasoline-powered automobile in 1885.
- Karl Benz and Family with Benz Automobiles, circa 1896 - Karl Benz, the inventor of the modern automobile (in light-colored suit, center), posed with family members in front of Benz automobiles for this circa 1896 photograph.

- circa 1896
- Collections - Artifact
Karl Benz and Family with Benz Automobiles, circa 1896
Karl Benz, the inventor of the modern automobile (in light-colored suit, center), posed with family members in front of Benz automobiles for this circa 1896 photograph.
- Barney Oldfield in "Lightning Benz," Daytona Beach, Florida, March 16, 1910 - On March 16, 1910, Barney Oldfield sped down the ocean-washed sands at Daytona Beach, Florida. Piloting the "Lightning Benz," Oldfield topped 131 miles per hour to set a new one-mile world's speed record -- exceeding the previous mark of 127.6 mph. A week later, Oldfield broke the two-mile and one-kilometer speed records in the same vehicle.

- March 16, 1910
- Collections - Artifact
Barney Oldfield in "Lightning Benz," Daytona Beach, Florida, March 16, 1910
On March 16, 1910, Barney Oldfield sped down the ocean-washed sands at Daytona Beach, Florida. Piloting the "Lightning Benz," Oldfield topped 131 miles per hour to set a new one-mile world's speed record -- exceeding the previous mark of 127.6 mph. A week later, Oldfield broke the two-mile and one-kilometer speed records in the same vehicle.