2026 marks the 140-year anniversary of Mercedes-Benz. To celebrate, the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is on a global road trip spanning six continents and 140 locations – including New Zealand. 

After journeying through Auckland and Taupō, our travels took us to Paraparaumu to visit one of New Zealand’s greatest motoring treasures. Home to one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most significant private vehicle collections, the Southward Car Museum also houses the oldest surviving motor vehicle in New Zealand: an 1895 Benz Velo imported by Christchurch businessman Nicholas Oates in 1900.

New Zealand’s first motor accident

More than a museum piece, the Benz Velo played a memorable role in the country’s early motoring history. It’s credited with being involved in one of New Zealand’s first motor traffic incidents, when the sight and sound of the vehicle startled a tethered horse, causing it to bolt and pull down a lamp post. The resulting fine and repairs reportedly cost the considerable sum of £30

Built by Benz & Cie., the company founded by Carl Benz, the Velo was among the world’s first series-production motor cars and helped make motoring more accessible in the late 19th century. Powered by a single-cylinder engine, it could reach speeds of up to 30km/h – a remarkable achievement for its time.

More than 130 years of progress

Standing side-by-side, the Benz Velo and the new S-Class offered a powerful reflection on more than 130 years of automotive progress. From one of the world’s earliest production automobiles to the very latest technology and innovation from Mercedes-Benz, the moment captured both how far the motor car has come and the pioneering spirit that continues to define us today.