1927 Mercedes-Benz 630K

At the 1921 Berlin Automobile Show, Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft introduced the world's first supercharged production cars, the 6/25/40hp and 10/40/65hp four-cylinder models. After Ferdinand Porsche arrived at the company in early 1923, he worked to further develop the blown four and eight-cylinder racers designed by Paul Daimler, and the 15/70/100hp and 24/100/140hp supercharged, six-cylinder production models that would debut at the Berlin Automobile Show in 1924. After the 1926 merger between Daimler and Benz, the cars were reclassified as types 400 and 630. The 630 Model K, with the 'K' for 'Kurtz' meaning short, are officially designated 24/100/140. The 24 was in reference to the taxable horsepower based on engine displacement. The 100 was the actual horsepower and the 140 was the horsepower rating when the supercharger was engaged. The engine is nearly identical to the SSK racing model developed by Ferdinand Porsche.

The 'K' version rested on a wheelbase reduced from 148 inches to 134 inches. The 6.3 liter single-overhead camshaft six-cylinder engine developed 140 PS (138 horsepower) with the Roots supercharger engaged. The supercharger became engaged when the throttle pedal was pushed to the floor. In this guise, the 630K was the world's fastest production touring car with a top speed exceeding 90 mph.

The Model K was built in limited number from 1926 to 1932, with just 267 examples produced. Some received bodies from Stabilimenti Farina, Castagnam, Saoutchik, Erdmann & Rossi, Reuter, Papler, Zschau and Balzer while others were fitted with 'factory' coachwork by Sindelfingen.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2019