1934 Mercedes-Benz W25 Grand Prix

Mercedes Benz had to deliver a completely new car to stage a comeback in Grand Prix racing, without exceeding the new maximum weight limit of 750 kg. Grand Prix racing's governing body AIACR introduced a formula limited mainly by a maximum weight of 750kg. This was a weight that was considerably less than the weight of Daimler's previous racing car, the outdated seven-liter Mercedes-Benz SSK.

Developed in 1933 and debuted at the Nurburgring on June 3rd, 1934, the Mercedes Benz W25 was this comeback and was designed by Daimler-Benz AG. For its time, the W25 was aerodynamic and exception. It was equipped with a cantilevered headrest and a sidewise installed exhaust system. Featuring more power that put competitors to shame, the W25 had a supercharged 8 cylinder inline engine with an output of 354 hp with delivered unbelievable power and acceleration.

Behind the wheel was Manfred von Brauchitsch who became the winner of the first race, namely Eifel race. This day went down in racing history as the birthday of the Silver Arrows. The W25 was originally painted in white, according to numerous publications. Unfortunately the car was one kilogram too heavy and unless its weight was reduced to 750 kg or less, there wouldn't be any racing for the W25.

The Mercedes team began looking for ways to shed some weight and get the car cleared for the start line. The stumbled upon the idea to scrape the paint, and the paintwork was grinded off overnight through sweat grueling work. The car appeared in its shining aluminum body of silver color. The car was allowed to start, and a legend was born. Though the weight and engine was reduced to roughly half, Daimler engineers eventually managed to more power from the supercharged Straight-8 M25 engine than the maximum 300hp of the SSK.

The Mercedes-Benz W25 won four major races in 1934, Eifelrennen, Coppa Acerbo and the Spanish and Italian Grand Prix. In 1935 Luigi Fagioli won three to nine Grand Prix's at the European Championship. The W25 remained in use until 1937 in modified form before being succeeded by the Mercedes-Benz.

By Jessica Donaldson