This Arnold Benz quadrupled speed limits in 1896.
Let’s go back in time. Imagine that it is January 1896, and you are one of the few people to own an ICE-powered car. At that time, all cars were required to travel at a speed of 2 miles per hour (or 3 km/h) and be accompanied by a man walking with a red flag waving at them.Meet Walter Arnolnd the boy racer, whom we can easily call a true revolutionist. He is closely connected to the history of Daimler, and was the first person to be licensed to sell Benz vehicles. But he also broke the speed limit for cars in late XIX.
He was driving his 1896 Arnold Benz through Paddock Green, Kent at eight miles an hour (13 km per hour) with no one supporting him. Walter was eventually cited for speeding and ordered to pay a fine of shilling plus costs. He was also chased by a policeman on his bicycle. Soon after, the two mph speed limit (three km/h) and red flag bearer requirements were eliminated. The limit was raised to 13 mph (23 km/h). Arnold participated in the race now called the Emancipation Run and won a gold medal for his skillful driving. It took cars from London to Brighton. Today, the run is still in existence. Arnold was given a speeding ticket for the exact same car. It is shown above and will be on display at Hampton Court Palace’s Concours of Elegance 2017. The vehicle will also be joined by the Harrods-livered McLaren F1 GTR and Jaguar XJR-9, which are both Le Mans winners.