U.K. Putting First Car Caught Speeding on Display

The 1896 Arnold Benz Motor Carriage is sure to dazzle at the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Place Court.

Many enthusiasts have heard about the vehicle that earned the fastest known speeding ticket in the world. A while back, a Koenigsegg CCR was caught traveling at 242 mph in Texas. The driver, as the story goes, was caught in a 75 mph zone. Obviously, he was arrested, and the police towed the supercar. While the CCR retains that fastest speeding ticket title, the vehicle that allegedly was the first car to be caught speeding is a lot different.

As Motor Authority reports, that vehicle is the 1896 Arnold Benz Motor Carriage. And to help celebrate fast cars, the Motor Carriage will be on display at the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Palace Court in England, alongside such venerable rides as the Jaguar XJ-9 that won Le Mans, and a McLaren F1.

Speeding in the United Kingdom in the 19th century wasn’t exactly easy, making the title even more impressive. According to the report, drivers were required to travel at two mph, while following an individual in front of the car waving a red flag.

CHECK OUT: What Forum Members Are Saying About This Historic Display

Walter Arnold may not have known the rules as he drove through Paddock Green in Kent early in 1896. Regardless, a constable saw Arnold traveling at eight mph, well above the speed limit. And there was no one waving a red flag in front of the car, which was even more troubling. Motor Authority claims that the constable chased Arnold down on a bicycle, and wrote him a citation. Arnold was charged with speeding and made to pay a fine of a shilling “plus costs.”

Don’t feel too bad for Arnold, though. The world’s first automobile speeding incident helped raised awareness for cars, and led the U.K. to pass the Locomotives Act. It raised the speed limit to 14 mph later that year, and stopped requiring cars to follow individuals waving a red flag. To celebrate, car owners raced from London to Brighton in the Emancipation Run. And yes, Arnold and his Motor Carriage were in the race.

Enthusiasts in the U.K. will be able to see this important piece of automotive history this September, along with some other speed demons at the Concours.

Via [Motor Authority]

Photos [Motoringuru, La Splash]