1939 Mercedes-Benz W154 Monoposto

New Grand Prix rules for 1938 ended the reign of Mercedes-Benz's mighty W125. In 1938 it was replaced with the smaller 2962cc, twin-supercharged 480 horsepower V-12 W154 that resumed Mercedes-Benz's championship dominance winning 80 percent of 1938's championship races. A year later an evolved model of the W154 logged a 75 percent win rate before war intervened. In 1947 a single W154 ran as high as fourth in the Indianapolis 500, but the pre-war champion was too complex for its non-factory mechanics.

This stunning sleek and sophisticated two-stage supercharged V12 Grand Prix car embodies the high water mark of racing car design prior to World War II. Not only is this the very last Grand Prix car to be completed and raced by the legendary Daimler-Benz Rennabteilung per-war, it has also survived in its type's ultimate configuration - sporting the definitive 'K' series - or M163 type - two-stage supercharged four-cam V12 racing engine, developing some 483 horsepower at an ear-splitting 7800 RPM. Maximum speed - dependent upon gearing and wheel diameter fitted - could easily exceed 190 mph. This supremely significant machine made just one works-team racing appearance - in the Belgrade Grand Prix, run in the Yugoslav capital's Kalemegdam Park on September 3rd of 1939 - the day on which Great Britain and France declared war upon Nazi Germany. Driven by Manfred von Braunisch, the car qualified in pole position, but finished second to Tazio Nuvolari, driving for Mercedes' arch-rival, Auto Union. This then, is indeed the ultimate 'Silver Arrow.'