1912 Mercedes Model 28/95

Prior to the Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft merger with Benz in 1926, it was an independent company producing many models including the 1912 4-cylinder 35/40. Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft realized in June of 1902 that they had conceded their Daimler trademark to Panhard & Levassor for the whole of France and as a result, they decided to name all their cars Mercedes. The great demand for the car soon had Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft operating at full-capacity. The cars were called Mercedes after race car driver Emil Jellnek's 10 year old daughter.

The cars continued to be successfully developed and began to be sold world-wide. They were available with both right hand and left hand drive as needed. The three pointed star had not yet become their trademark.

This chassis for this car was ordered on February 10th of 1913 by Mrs. Armour valentine of Chicago. According to the ledger books still in existence, she changed the specifications of her order twice. The chassis was delivered to the New York Sales Branch on September 1st of 1914. She commissioned Holbrook Company in New York to produce a Landaulet Town car body for her. The car was kept at her summer home n Oconomowoc Wisconsin where she was frequently seen driving the car at top speed.

The Mercedes 28/95 enjoyed much sporting success during their lifespan. A short-wheelbase 28/95 was driven at the Coppa Florio by Max Sailer to an overall victory. At the Targa Florio, the care finished in an impressive second place.

The 28/95 Mercedes was one of the last models to be produced by Mercedes before the 1926 merger with Daimler and Benz. Under the bonnet was a six-cylinder engine that was a derivative of Daimler's DF80 aircraft engine used in World War I. The engine had a fully enclosed, shaft and bevel gear-driven, camshaft and valves. These were then enclosed in aluminum for each of the three pairs of cylinder castings and bolted to an aluminum crankcase.

The chassis was constructed to house a variety of custom coach-built bodies. There were semi-elliptical leaf springs and friction dampers which controlled the front and rear axles. Rear wheel drum brakes were used on the earlier 28/95 models, but more was needed to keep the car in the driver's control. So, Mercedes placed drums at all four corners. This did much to improve the vehicle's performance and reputation.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2011