1928 Mercedes-Benz Model S news, pictures, and information

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Saoutchik Cabriolet
Coachwork: Saoutchik
Chassis Num: 35964
Engine Num: 72166

The Model S was the ultimate supercar of the late 1920s; with its powerful 6.8-liter engine it was both a race car and a fast road car, winning at the Nurburgring in 1927.

This 1928 Mercedes-Benz Model S was first delivered to Mercedes Benz, New York in 1928. It was sent to be shown at the Los Angeles Motor Show as a rolling chassis with the hopes to lure wealthy Hollywood socialites. From this showing some famous personalities purchased Model S cars like The Rowe Sister's, Al Jolson, who bought two one for himself and one for his wife, actress Ruby Keeler. After the Motor Show Chassis 35964 was sent to Saoutchik Carrosserie in Paris to have a Cabriolet body built for its first owner Count de la Bastille of Monaco. There are only 7 Saoutchik bodies on left hand drive 'Model S' chassis', each being slightly different from the others. The current owner, who has had the car since 2005, has taken great pride in reconditioning it to her former glory. This unique open cabriolet has wonderful wood accents around the tops of the doors and along the rear deck lid. The cars engine, gearbox, and rear axle have been recently rebuilt, with very little mileage on them. The exterior is freshly painted in a high gloss black and all the bright work has been plated. The interior, trimmed in fresh black leather, is stunning, and the dash has been complete restored and is not only beautiful, but fully functional.

Source - Blackhawk Collection

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Tourer
Chassis Num: 35947
Engine Num: 71819
Build Num: 40647

This was originally owned by Al Jolson and subsequently by noted designer Brooks Stevens. The car was purchased from Stevens by Don Williams in 1990. The car was in mint condition when purchased in 1990. In 1991 the car was completely restored by Mike Fennel Restorations.

The 6.8-liter 'S' models were built from 1927 through 1928 and were the victorious favorites of world famous drivers. They also scored highly at international auto salons where experts proclaimed this model 'the last word in motor car design.' The Type S was the ultimate supercar of the late 1920s, driven by Barney Oldfield, Al Jolson and Harold Vanderbilt, among others.

Source - Blackhawk Collection

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Armbruster Roadster
Coachwork: Armbruster

The Ferdinand Porsche-designed Mercedes-Benz S Type was introduced in 1927 as a racing version of the 4-liter Type 400 and 6.3-liter Type 630 touring cars. With a 6.8-liter engine set further back in the lowered and shortened chassis, the S-Type was unbeatable in its first race at the Nurburgring. This particular car has some period racing history; it was driven by German ace Hans Stuck. This car has a luxurious yet sporting one-off body designed and built by the Austrian coach building company Armbruster. When the car first arrived in the United States it was painted in the white German racing colors although the current two-tone red paintwork shows off the cars unusual scalloped door panels to advantage.

Ferdinand Porsche designed the S-Type for Mercedes-Benz in 1927. The racer was constructed using pre-existing road version Mercedes vehicles, mainly the 400 and 630 models. The names of these vehicles came from their displacement size in liters. For example, the 400 had a four liter engine while the 630 had a 6.3 liter engine, both were equipped a supercharger and six-cylinders. The engine was one of the most appealing attributes of these vehicles. The drawbacks that robbed the vehicles of performance were its size, weight and basic suspension system. A cushy suspension and large size was ideal for luxury vehicles that carried the elite in society, but at the track the vehicles were in need of more performance characteristics. An attempt was made to enhance the sporty nature of the 630 by shortening the wheelbase, which brought about the 'short' (Kurz) version. This drastically improved the vehicles sporty appeal but more was needed to enhance the handling. Mercedes answer to this problem was the S-Type version which saw the chassis lowered and the engine moved back. This improved the vehicles balance. To improve its performance, the engine capacity was enlarged to 6.8 liters. Thus, the 680 S was born.

The Nurburgring 1000 km race debuted in 1927. The track is challenging with it 172 turns and 25.6 km length. The track tests both the driver and the vehicle in all scenarios such as power, braking, and cornering. At the first Nurburgring race it was the 680 S that emerged victorious, a true testament to the vehicles capabilities.

Future versions of the S-Type followed such as the 700 and 710 SS which saw horsepower ratings in the 225 range. Most were considered road going cars but there was little to distinguish a car that was meant for the track and one that was meant for the road. Obviously, the vehicles fitted with luxurious coachwork never saw any track time but the roadsters, speedsters, and coupes (for example) could be used for dual purposes.

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