1923 Mercedes 28/95 Targa Florio news, pictures, and information

In the 1922 Targa Florio a Mercedes 28/95 was driven by Max Sailer and completed the course in seven hours, twelve minutes, and eight seconds. The course was a total distance of 108 km. The course with difficult with only 24 of the 42 starters completing. The winning vehicle was driven by Giulio Masetti in a Mercedes GP/14 who completed the course in six hours and fifty-minutes. The 28/95 was about twenty-two minutes off the leader. The 7.2 liter aircraft-type six-cylinder engine was one of the most powerful of the day.

Commissioned by the American Mercedes Company of New York in June 1923. This 28/95 Short 'Targa Florio' chassis example is fitted with the three-seater style sports body. It was sold to its first owner, Reginald L. Brooks of New York City, in September 1924 and subsequently to a Franklin le Varre, also of New York, in November 1928. The Mercedes 'Targa Florio' took its name as a result of the successes of the class winning chassis in the famed race event in 1921 and 1922. Powered by a six-cylinder, 7.2-litre aircraft-type engine, that was the most potent engine of its day, the 28/95 Mercedes was the evolutionary forerunner to the famed Mercedes of the late 1920's. Fitted with the preferred Zenith carburetor option, Rudge-Whitworth wheels, four wheel brakes, and instruments and controls in english, the car was the subject of an extensive and historically accurate restoration in the late 1960's. A prized member of just three private collections for most of the past fifty years, the car has received awards at AACA Grand National events and two first place honours at Pebble Beach. Most recently it was in collection of NBC Radio Orchestra band-leader and Mercedes collector, Don Ricardo.

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One of the best performing cars in its day, the Mercedes 28/95 was powered by a 7.2-liter aero engine modified for road use. The Targa Florio was built on a shortened chassis and named after Mercedes' success at that race in 1921 and 1922. This car was commissioned by the American Mercedes Company of New York and delivered in 1924. It was once owned by the renowned NBC Radio orchestra leader Don Ricardo.

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