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Mercedes-Benz made a victorious return to Grand Prix racing in 1914 with this 115HP racer, which had just one overhead camshaft and no front brakes but a strong and reliable chassis. Lightweight materials were used throughout, techniques they had learned from the history with aircraft engine construction.
The 4.5-liter single overhead cam engine had four valves per cylinder, the first Daimler-Chrysler product to feature two exhausts and two intake valves in a single combustion chamber. With this setup, the engine easily exceeded the 3000 RPM limit, making it the sole vehicle that could achieve this feat.
At the 1914 French Grand Prix held at Lyons, Mercedes achieved first, second and third place victories. Christian Lautenschlager won the French Grand Prix with the Mercedes race car. Grand Prix restrictions for 1914 included a 2,425 lbs. maximum weight and a 4500cc maximum engine capacity. The engineering team focused on its recent development of aircraft engines to create a lightweight, efficient motor. With wins in the 1914 French Grand Prix, the 1915 Indy 500 and the 1922 Targa Florio, the 1914 Mercedes GP ranks among the most significant racing cars ever built.
After the French Grand Prix, one of the cars was sent to England to become a showroom display. Just after arriving in England, World War One broke out. Rolls-Royce used the opportunity to carefully study the engine. A short time later, the Rolls-Royce Hawk engine was introduced.
Mercedes won first, second and third in the French Grand Prix at Lyon. This is the winning car, No. 28 driven by Christian Lautenschlager, a German who had previously won the 1908 French Grand Prix for Mercedes. After Lyons, the car was displayed in a British showroom. In 1920 the car was sold to wealthy racing driver Count Louis Zborowski who took it to Brooklands for several races. He sold it in 1922, and in 19223 its aging body was replaced with a touring body from a French Berliet. After several years it was parked in a garage in Essex, England, where it was discovered in 1961. In 1983, the current owner's acquired it and returned it to its proper 1914 condition.
The 4.5-liter single overhead cam engine had four valves per cylinder, the first Daimler-Chrysler product to feature two exhausts and two intake valves in a single combustion chamber. With this setup, the engine easily exceeded the 3000 RPM limit, making it the sole vehicle that could achieve this feat.
At the 1914 French Grand Prix held at Lyons, Mercedes achieved first, second and third place victories. Christian Lautenschlager won the French Grand Prix with the Mercedes race car. Grand Prix restrictions for 1914 included a 2,425 lbs. maximum weight and a 4500cc maximum engine capacity. The engineering team focused on its recent development of aircraft engines to create a lightweight, efficient motor. With wins in the 1914 French Grand Prix, the 1915 Indy 500 and the 1922 Targa Florio, the 1914 Mercedes GP ranks among the most significant racing cars ever built.
After the French Grand Prix, one of the cars was sent to England to become a showroom display. Just after arriving in England, World War One broke out. Rolls-Royce used the opportunity to carefully study the engine. A short time later, the Rolls-Royce Hawk engine was introduced.
Mercedes won first, second and third in the French Grand Prix at Lyon. This is the winning car, No. 28 driven by Christian Lautenschlager, a German who had previously won the 1908 French Grand Prix for Mercedes. After Lyons, the car was displayed in a British showroom. In 1920 the car was sold to wealthy racing driver Count Louis Zborowski who took it to Brooklands for several races. He sold it in 1922, and in 19223 its aging body was replaced with a touring body from a French Berliet. After several years it was parked in a garage in Essex, England, where it was discovered in 1961. In 1983, the current owner's acquired it and returned it to its proper 1914 condition.
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Recent Sales of the Mercedes 115HP
(Data based on Model Year 1914 sales)
Mercedes 115HPs That Failed To Sell At Auction
1914 Mercedes 115HP's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
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1914 Mercedes 115HP
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