1928 Mercedes-Benz Model S Boattail Speedster

The Mercedes-Benz Company of New York took delivery of this chassis without coachwork at the request of railroad heir Albert Isham of Santa Barbara, California, who had its sleek and sporting boattail speedster body mounted by Pasadena coachbuilder Walter M. Murphy. The car was subsequently acquired by comedians Zeppo and Chico Marx, in whose ownership it was prepared by the noted early Mercedes-Benz specialist Joe Reindl, and famously run against Hollywood agent Phil Berg's Duesenberg Model J in the legendary 'Match Race' on Muroc Dry Lake. Later, it became a film star in its own right, appearing with Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant in Sylvia Scarlett and with Warner Olan in Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo. Noted for its many years of ownership by Michael MacIntosh, it was acquired in 2010 by John Rich Sr. Fully restored for him by D.L. George, it remains with Mr. Rich's son.

At the Nurburgring's inaugural race on June 19, 1927 the new Type S was introduced in racing form. Legendary driver Rudolf Caracciola took first, with another Type S coming in 2nd. Just one month later at the German Grand Prix, the Type S finished 1, 2 and 3. Caracciola and the Type S continued winning which attracted the attention of well-to-do customers with sporting desires.

The Type S offered 'silent streams of super-power' and 'comfort to carry you to the ends of the earth' as advertised by Mercedes-Benz. The Type S was lower, lighter and more powerful than the predecessor Model K, with a supercharged 6.8 liter, 6-cylinder engine making 180 horsepower. It was built for sport and was the most powerful automobile sold in the US at that time. Only 146 units were produced.

During its era, the Mercedes-Benz S-Type was the ultimate high-performance car. This example, chassis number 35313, was commissioned by retired railroad executive and Santa Barbara resident Albert Isham. It was delivered to Santa Barbara on May 11th of 1928. Part of the purchase price included trading in his Bugatti Grand Prix racing car. The car was then sent to Walter M. Murphy Coachbuilders in Pasadena where it received its one-off Boattail Speedster coachwork. The exterior of the car was finished in a light color, possibly gray of ivory, with darker wheels, whitewall tires, wind wings and a minimal soft top.

This car appeared in several films in the early 1930s and was owned by Zeppo and Chico Marx. It was involved in a race in 1932 where $25, 000 was bet and the Mohave Desert event was attended by many Hollywood dignitaries. It lost the race as a result of worn spark plugs.

Years later, the car was in the care of the Marx Brothers, followed by a gentleman by the name of Eddie Brewster. At some point, the car was modified, first by having the original fenders bobbed, possibly by Bohman & Schwartz, followed by several other minor changes.

By the 1970s, the S-Type had migrated north to the Bay Area.

Currently, the car is finished in white with blue pinstripes. It looks similar to the way it looked when it ran full speed along the dry lake bed in 1932. It is an undisturbed example that still has its engraved Murphy cap still be found on the pivot point on the windscreen.

Under the bonnet is a 6.8-liter, single overhead cam motor with a Roots-type blower. The interior features a two-tone, blue and white interior that is keeping with its period as a Southern California custom.

In 2010, this car was offered for sale at the Pebble Beach Auction presented by Gooding & Company. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $3,740,000, inclusive of buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2012