AutoCult Austro Daimler 22/86 PS Spezial (1909) (Austria)

About the Original

A rather unconventional aristocracy…

The 27-year-old Elias of Bourbon-Parma, whose full first name was Elias Robert Karl Maria Pius, had a considerable fortune at his disposal from around 1907 and found his preference for the automobile, which was still in its infancy, similar to many of his aristocratic colleagues. However, it is not known how deep this passion went, but it may have been due to his ties to his Austro-Hungarian homeland that he decided to buy an Austro Daimler.

Elias of Bourbon-Parma wanted a car designed according to his wishes and ordered an Austro Daimler chassis with an engine. From today’s perspective, his individual solution was limited to his own car body.

It is not certain whether the idea for the very extravagant design was based on his own ideas or was the offer of a supposed expert. Far different in shape from the lines known at the time, hard edges, corners emphasized the slightly tapered shape towards the end of the vehicle. Also worth mentioning are the fenders placed directly above the tires, with the two rear fenders in particular running out in a sweeping manner. With space in the interior for four passengers, the body tended towards the luxurious segment, even if the exhaust pipes protruding from the side of the vehicle reflected sportiness. But perhaps it was precisely this mixture of nobility and efficiency that the nobleman wanted to show with his unique piece. You’ll never know- the car did not stand the text of time either.