1927 Mercedes-Benz Model S

The Mercedes-Benz Model S was introduced in 1927 as a 6.8-liter tourer (680 S), and competition versions soon followed, excelling in endurance racing, rewarding the company with increased sales. The vehicles were assembled in the Daimler-Benz factory located in Stuttgart, Germany, with the body and coachwork being handled in Werk Sindelfingen, Germany. The S in the vehicle's name represented Sport. During its production life span, 146 examples were produced, guaranteeing its exclusivity and making it a highly desired automobile among many collectors.

The inaugural race at the Nurburgring on June 19th, 1927, was won by Rudolf Caracciola in the sports car class over 5 liters. Throughout 1927, the Type S would earn eleven overall and class victories, including a one-two-three victory in the German Grand Prix for Sports Cars at the Nurburgring on July 17, 1927. The Type S cars driven by Otto Merz, Christian Werner and Willy Walb dominated the race.

The chassis was a newly redesigned platform with a chassis-section style frame that sat low between the axles, rising near each end. The rear suspension was a leaf-spring design passing under the axle. Under the hood lurked a supercharged inline-six-cylinder engine displacing 6,789cc and capable of producing 180 horsepower, 120 in normal aspiration form (at 3,000 RPM). The engine was moved twelve inches back, when compared to its processor the Model K, to take advantage of better weight distribution and improve handling. All this equated to a low profile and lower center of gravity. The aerodynamics of the vehicle was greatly improved and provided less wind resistance. Most of the Model S vehicles were open bodies outfitted with coachwork from Daimler-Benz.

Mercedes-Benz produced a total of 146 units through 1928. The Type S (Sport) was developed into the Type SS (Super Sport) and SSK (Super Sport Kurz - short wheelbase version) in 1928 and the SSKL (Super Sport Kurz Leicht - short and lightweight version) in 1931, which was reserved exclusively for racing.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2010