1908 Mercedes 150 HP Grand-Prix Brookland Semmering Rennwagen

In 1906, Mercedes developed a race car that came to be known as the 'Brookland' for its accomplishments at that famed racetrack. Only three of these cars were ever built, but together they established the model's long and victorious racing legacy. Of that triumvirate, the featured Mercedes Grand-Prix is the sole survivor. Racing at Brookland, this car set record speeds of 89 mph in the standing ten miles and 96 mph in the flying half mile. This car was based on the firm's 1906 Grand Prix car, and was driven to victory by Otto Salzer in the 'unlimited' class of the Semmering hill climb in Austria in 1908 and 1909. Salzer's 1909 run of seven minutes and seven seconds broke the course record by a considerable margin. In October of the same year, it was driven to 3rd position in an event near Brussels by the famed Belgian driver Camille Jenatzy, shortly before it was acquired by a party in England and shipped in December of 1909 to Sydney, Australia where it was to remain for many years.

On July 7th of 1908, Christian Lautenschlager drove one of the other two Brooklands to victory in the French Grand Prix with an average speed of 69 mph, while Otto Salzer set the lap record of 79 mph in the other at the same race. Both cars boasted 140 horsepower engines.

In late July of 1908, this car's engine capacity was increased to produce 150 horsepower, and both Lautenschlager and Salzer went on to pilot this car to victories in 1909. Also in 1909, Camille Jenatzy drove a 150 HP Grand Prix car in the World Championship race at Tervouten.

Renowned driver, Ralph De Palma, took this model to numerous victories as well, and gave it its well-deserved nickname, the 'Gray Ghost.'