World’s First Hybrid Car Could Fetch Almost £200,000 At Auction

The world’s first hybrid car which was developed a CENTURY before the Toyota Prius is expected to sell for almost £200,000 at auction.

Harry Dey was the engineer responsible for creating the 1896 Armstrong Phaeton, a hybrid car which was completed before the Prius, the first mass produced hybrid.

Dey’s creation came to life after his prototype was noticed by the Roger Mechanical Carriage Company of New York, which commissioned Armstrong Company of Bridgeport Connecticut to build the vehicle.

It was the first car with an electric start, ahead of Cadillac by 15 years, and had no clutch pedal - with the driver changing gear with an electric switch.
The car’s electric motor is even charged when driving, and can be driven purely by electric power.
But only one Armstrong Phaeton was ever built, and it remained in the Bridgeport factory until 1963, when a long time employee moved it to his home garage.
The car was eventually restored by British veteran car enthusiast Robin Loder, who sold it to an American collector.

Now, the Armstrong Phaeton will be sold by Bonhams at its Amelia Island sale in Florida, and has received an eye-watering guide price of £125,000 to £190,000.
The auction house said: ‘It is likely that this vehicle is the first in history to display many features that would become ubiquitous.
‘There is no question that Armstrong beat Cadillac to the self-starter by a staggering 16 years.
‘There is little doubt that the Armstrong is the oldest vehicle extant using modern style hybrid drive.

‘The Armstrong survives today as an amazing piece of automotive innovation and proves there is nothing new under the sun.’