Benz 3-hp No.1 Ideal Van

This is probably the first delivery van in the world. Using a car as a commercial vehicle was a logical development.

Basically, the principle is very simple: on top of a standard Benz model a removable cargo area is mounted. In this case it is a wooden box used by a chemical laundry from Rotterdam – founded in 1864 – to collect laundry and later return freshly starched shirts and suits to customers. At that time the London Benz dealer Henry Hewetson advertises the delivery vans by, among other things, pointing out that they are the perfect cars for expanding business activities. Moreover, according to him they offer an effective way to advertise. The Benz No.1 Velo is the smallest model in the Benz range in 1894: "Light, fast, reliable and affordable. Also exceptionally good at climbing hills." This Benz is therefore equipped with a "hill prop", a bar behind the rear wheel that can be lowered when climbing a hill to prevent the car from rolling back.