1912 Mercedes Race Car

The car was discovered in Australia after languishing in the elements for many years. It had the remains of a sports racing body and the remains of 9.5-liter, 4-cylinder, overhead cam, WWI, Hall-Scott Aero engine which appears to have been fitted some time during its career.

The car has undergone a meticulous and sympathetic 6-year restoration in England during which a 1914 G.P. Mercedes style body was fitted. Other unique features are positive camber back axle with twin ring and pinion gears, the front axle with fabric wrapped V-shaped wooden inserts, and a V-shaped radiator. Both were early Mercedes attempts at aerodynamics.

The car has competed in various vintage races in England for the past two years. It recently returned to the US and is making its concours debut at the 2007 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.

Paul Daimler was instrumental in creating competitive Grand Prix cars for the German company, Mercedes. The early 1900s saw a quick escalation in the importance of racing as it promoted the brand, inspired creativity and the introduction of new technology, and tested the limits of the cars. Local, regional, national, and international rivalries quickly spawned a new level of pride and the necessity to finish in first place. Italy, Germany and France were among the top European rivalries that fought for the coveted checkered flag. In 1906, Renault brought home glory at Le Mans for the Italian flag and Fiat followed suite the following year. Things went rather poorly for Mercedes in 1907, with only one car managing to finish the race. When it crossed the finish line it was in a miserable tenth place. Mercedes looked to 1908 for its first major victory for Germany since its 1903 win at the Gordon Bennett race.

Daimler began work on a new vehicle. New racing regulations were introduced by the Automobile Club de France which limited the weight to 1100 kg and the engines bore to 155 mm. The Mercedes engine was given a displacement size of 12.8-liters. Its bore measured 154.7 mm while its stroke was 170mm. It had a cast-iron block and head and fitted with side exhaust valves and overhead intake valves. The result was a 130 horsepower unit that was mated to a four-speed manual gearbox with braking performed on the rear wheels. The lightweight aluminum body rested on a pressed steel ladder frame and was suspended in place by a live axle and semi-elliptic leaf springs.

The engine with its 154.7mm bore was nearly the largest it could be while still complying with the rules. The lightweight bodywork and being de-void of non-essential items, its overall weight only slightly over the minimum imposed figure. Daimler had worked extremely hard at taking every necessary advantage to create a very competitive racer that could bring honor to its country.

As had happened the year before, rule changes made the cars obsolete for the 1909 season – which mattered little since there were no Grand Prix races for 1909. Grand Prix races were not held in 1909, 1910, or 1911 due to the governing body and manufacturers unable to agree on rules.

For Mercedes, the Grand Prix cars continued to be raced at various venues throughout Europe and some were later shipped to the United States.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2008