The pioneers

1886–1918

Karl Benz's Patent-Motorwagen of 1886 was a light, open two-seater — the first car and, in shape, the ancestor of every roadster. Within twenty years makers were building cars to be driven fast for pleasure.

Long-distance trials such as Germany's Prince Henry Tour (1908–1911) pushed makers to build fast touring cars, and from them came some of the first true sports cars.

Benz Patent-MotorwagenBenz & Cie. · 1886–1893Mercer 35 RaceaboutMercer · 1910–1914Austro-Daimler Prince HenryAustro-Daimler · 1910–1914Bugatti Type 13Bugatti · 1910–1926

Hispano-Suiza Alfonso XIIIHispano-Suiza · 1911–1914Vauxhall Prince HenryVauxhall · 1911–1914Stutz BearcatStutz · 1912–1925