THE FIRST MOTORISED PETROL VEHICLE BROUGHT TO LIMASSOL IN 1907
STEAM POWER
British colonial administrators were the first to import road vehicles to Cyprus. These steam-powered vehicles arrived on the island in the latter part of the 19th century. They proved, however, to be both unreliable and difficult to maintain, and they also required roads that were virtually non-existent at the time. By the early part of the 20th century, most of these vehicles had lay idle by the roadside, and the horse and cart remained as the main mode of transport across the island. This was soon to dramatically change, however, when a wealthy Cypriot doctor from Limassol, with some French connections, decided to import the first motorised petrol-driven vehicle to Cyprus in 1907.
A DOCTOR FROM LIMASSOL
Doctor Ioannis Pierides became the first person to drive a petrol car in the conventional sense in Cyprus. This came after he eagerly collected his shiny new bright red Peugeot Type 69 Bebe from the port of Larnaca in 1907. Doctor Pierides had experienced similar vehicles of this type first-hand during his time spent in Paris a year earlier. With this in mind, he immediately saw the potential of this new mode of transport and set about introducing the first one to Cyprus.
AN EVENTFUL MAIDEN VOYAGE
The doctor eagerly collected his elegant, two-seater Peugeot from the port of Larnaca on a summer’s day in 1907. The car arrived with an extra tank of fuel and an easy-to-read manual. This manual was specifically designed to teach novices how to drive. After some deliberation and a quick review of his manual, the doctor set off for his journey back to Limassol. His maiden journey, however, took him more than the best part of half a day to complete. This was mainly attributed, however, to difficult refuelling stops and the state of the roads, which at this point were not designed for cars. The doctor’s inexperience at the wheel was also evident, but he persisted, arriving in Limassol before nightfall.
LEARNING TO DRIVE
The immediate impact of the doctor’s car was significant in shaping the future of transportation across the island. His choice of car also helped significantly. As well as being a marvel of engineering for its time, the little red open-top Peugeot was very well suited for the island’s lifestyle and climate. The car’s simplicity also aided its popularity. The sleek two-seater design and powerful engine left most amazed by both its speed and efficiency. The doctor himself later admitted that driving his new car was simple to learn on the day. This helped to further boost the car’s easy access and popularity.
THE TALK OF THE TOWN
The doctor’s new automobile aptly became the talk of the town, bringing admiring glances wherever it was spotted. This was the first time many of them had witnessed a motorised vehicle of this sort, and the doctor’s new car often aroused great curiosity from onlookers. Not all, however, embraced the new invention after it became the main subject of discussion. Several of Limassol’s elite initially ridiculed the doctor for spending so much money and time on what they considered to be a simple adult toy. This initial negative reaction, however, was soon put aside after the little red car became a city icon.
THE PEUGEOT TYPE 69 BEBE
The prototype of the Peugeot Type 69 Bébé first appeared at the Paris Motor Show in 1904. The modern, robust car was designed by the renowned Ettore Bugatti. The automobile pioneer’s new little car was classed as a supermini, which was a completely new concept at the time. Full production of the car then began in Audincourt, France in 1905. The car used a 3-speed manual transmission and had a total length that extended to just 2.7 metres. Its weight of only 350 kilos made the 652cc single-cylinder engine seem much more powerful than it actually was. This was further enhanced by the fact that the car would often reach recorded speeds of up to 40 kilometres per hour, which was very fast at the time. The car also employed state-of-the-art technologies. These included rack and pinion steering and a driveshaft instead of a chain. Its price was deliberately kept as low as possible, to promote the car to people such as doctor Ioannis Pierides.
A NEW CAR REVOLUTION
The little Peugeot, along with the Doctor’s insight, played a key role in shaping the future of transportation in Cyprus. The doctor’s car, which initially had its critics, would go on to become a Limassol icon and status symbol. This further helped to create much fervour amongst the wealthy elite. The car’s prestige would eventually lead to other prominent residents across Cyprus to follow the doctor’s example. The doctor’s peers soon began to import their own vehicles of choice. This cast the dye for the petrol automobile industry across the island, and cars went on to represent modernity and progress across the island. They also became a sign of social standing and success. In general terms, the people of Cyprus embraced the new invention that was introduced to the island by the forward-thinking doctor. The arrival of the car was also a groundbreaking moment for the island’s transport history, and this inadvertently marked the beginning of the automobile era in Cyprus
A NEW INDUSTRY
The arrival of the first petrol car in Cyprus was a watershed moment. It also paved the way for the introduction of petrol-based buses and taxis. This helped to pave the way for the development of a fledgling automotive industry across the island. As well as setting the stage for modernisation, this also helped to revolutionise the way in which people travelled across the island. The introduction of petrol-based road vehicles also impacted local economies. As the growth of the new automotive industry expanded, it also provided new job opportunities for both mechanics and drivers. The eventual influx of cars also led to the construction of new roads and transport infrastructure. This in turn, created even more jobs in construction and design.
A CYPRIOT TRANSPORT LEGACY
The arrival of the first petrol-driven car marked the beginning of a new era of travel on the island. The car would eventually go on to grant a certain freedom of travel to the masses that was unavailable before. It can also be said that its introduction helped pave the way for the modernisation of Cypriot society as a whole. As more cars arrived in mass quantities, prices began to fall. This made the new status symbol affordable to the general public, marking the decline of other traditional modes of transport. The new popular way for people to travel was faster, more convenient, and more accessible, and it made the horse and cart, donkey, camel and bicycles redundant. The car ultimately made travel more efficient and convenient for everybody who now had access to the open road.
