1930 Mercedes-Benz 710 SS

The Mercedes-Benz Type S was the most exclusive and powerful automobile of its era, introduced in 1927 and powered by a 6.8-liter engine. It was the work of the company's new chief designer, Ferdinand Porsche, and used a chassis-section style frame that sat low between the axles, with the engine positioned back in the frame. The superb balance and handling complemented the potent 6.8-liter engine, and the competition version excelled in endurance racing.

The Mercedes-Benz SS, for Super Sport, was introduced about a year after the Mercedes-Benz S and came equipped with an enlarged 7.1-liter engine, a light chassis, and a slightly higher radiator. Production was exclusive, with just 111 examples of the Model S and 146 of the Model SS. Most examples were bodied by the Mercedes factory, but some were bodied by independent coachbuilders such as Jacques Saoutchik, Castagna, Murphy, and Erdmann & Rossi.

Production
The Mercedes-Benz SSK (W06 / Super Sport Kurz or Super Sport Short) was similar to the Type SS but rested on a shortened wheelbase that measured 116 inches. Fewer than 40 examples were built during its production lifespan, with around half being sold as Rennwagen (racing cars).

S/SS/SSK Engine
The engine powering the Type S was an inline-6 cylinder unit displacing 6,780cc and producing around 120 horsepower in normally aspirated form and upwards of 180 horsepower when the Roots-Type supercharger was engaged. It had single overhead camshafts and twin updraft carburetors and was paired with a four-speed non-synchro manual gearbox. Mechanical drum brakes provided the stopping power, and the live axles were suspended by semi-elliptical leaf springs.

The 7.1-liter (7,069cc) SOHC inline-6 cylinder engine powering the SS and SSK produced around 160 horsepower in naturally and up to 200 hp with the supercharger.

Competition
The Type S, SS, and SSK were successful in all forms of competition, winning the 500 Miles of Argentina in 1929, the Cordoba Grands Prix of 1930, and the 1931 Argentine Grand Prix. Rudolf Caracciola won the 1929 Ulster Tourist Trophy race, the 1930 Irish Grand Prix, the 1931 German Grand Prix, and the 1931 Mille Miglia.

Many years later, in 1999, the S/SS/SSK was one of the 1930 Irish Grand Prix, the 1931 German Grand Prix, and the 1931 Mille Miglia.

The famous 'Count Trossi' SSk was awareded Best of Show honors at the 1993 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and the 2007 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2023