It is a stroke of fortune that the three men most instrumental in playing midwife to the birth of the automotive age were geographically close, as well as philosophically and commercially compatible. In 1885 and 1886, Daimler, Benz and Maybach each brought forth the internal-combustion engine, paving the road for the success of the automobile.
In the course of history, Gottlieb Daimler would be partners with the other two automotive pioneers. And it was Daimler who produced his first four-wheeled car in 1886. By 1890, he had begun the Daimler Company, producing the Mercedes. In 1909, Daimler acquired the rights for a sleeve-valve engine which provided much quieter performance as well as increased power. He also began using a worm-driven rear axle on many of his models which provided the constant lubrication that the sleeve-valve required. One of his first achievements was the 1911 Type A12, produced only in 1911 - long before Daimler merged with Benz to form Mercedes-Benz. And now, this rare automobile is recaptured in a die-cast replica, crafted by Matchbox Collectibles exclusively for The Models of Yesteryear; the 40th Anniversary Collection.

(1996)

Scale: 1:45