World's oldest running car for sale

While it's not one of the 205,000 cars available on Carsales, the world's oldest running car – an 1884 de Dion Bouton et Treardoux dos-a-dos steam runabout -- is up for grabs.

The car has an incredible history, and as well as being the second prototype build by Count de Dion, it's also documented as one participant in the world's first recorded car race (which is generally regarded as being the Paris-Rouen trial of 1895). In its day, the de Dion recorded speeds of almost 60km/h on straight sections of road.

Measuring 2740mm in length, the de Dion was commissioned by Count de Dion but built by George Bouton and Charles-Armand Trepardoux. It was named La Marquise after the Count's mother, a nameplate still visible on the car's flanks.

Using twin-compound steam engines for motivation, the early car took much of its design inspiration from the horse carriage. Seats are positioned dos-a-dos (back-to-back) to make room for the engine's boiler which could operate on coal or coke. Preparation took 45 minutes. The passenger platform is positioned above a 150-litre water tank which produced enough steam to travel just over 30km.

The de Dion goes under the hammer at RM Auctions on October 6 and is expected to fetch more than $2 million.

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