Among many vintage masterpieces that will be on display at the St Ursula Ground on the December 28, in the event organised by The Hitavada and Rotary Club in association with CIVAA, there will be a hand-crafted full scale model of Benz, that is bound to catch everybody’s attention. “Everyone will be astound to witness one of the masterpieces in the history of automobiles. The 1886 Benz was the first automobile that ended the horse drawn carriages, made by a German, Karl Benz. This masterpiece has come to life crafted with utmost precision and dedication,” said Ahmed, who prefers to let his work do all the talking. On the idea behind making Benz, the 79-year-old Ahmed takes us some 15 years back from where the conception of the 1886 Benz began.

 

“I had an opportunity to visit Mercedes plant from where I got the idea of making a 1/4th scale model of Benz. The 1/4th scale was built with every minuscule detail merely observing the photographs for reference. “I did not want to stop there and dreamt of crafting a full scale model. I started building wooden patterns for the engine block and other components for castings. Finally, after a span of 12 years, dreams came true and the final full scale replica of 1886 Benz model was born,” said an ecstatic Ahmed. The vehicle features horizontally rear-mounted water-cooled single cylinder, four stroke engine. A steel frame having an engine capacity producing about 0.75 horsepower with 3 wire-spoked wheels. Today this hand-built masterpiece is one of his prized possessions. For letting the world know about the smaller one-fourth version, Ahmed will be bringing it for display on the D-Day.