1928 Mercedes-Benz 630K

Following World War I, Germany's economy was in ruins and there was rampant inflation. Due to the financial uncertainty and difficulty, of the 86 German car factories operating in 1924, only 19 were in existence three years later. Among them were Daimler and Benz, but both understood that if they were to survive, it would have to be in partnership. Thus, the two great rivals completed their merger on July 1st of 1926, having paved the way with a technical co-operation agreement in 1924. By this point in history, Professor Ferdinand Porsche had taken the company's Chief Engineering position left absent by Paul Daimler (founder Gottlieb's son) when he moved to Horch. Both Paul Daimler and Porsche were advocates of forced induction, and although Porsche left Daimler-Benz in 1928, he left a lasting impression and a range of supercharged ('Kompressor') Mercedes motors cars.

Porsche arrived at the company early in 1923 and among his early priorities were further developing the blown four and eight-cylinder race cars designed by Paul Daimler, along with the 15/70/100hp and 24/100/140hp supercharged, six-cylinder production models that would be introduced at the Berline Automobile Show in 1924. Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft had introduced the world's first supercharged production cars, the 6/25/40hp and 10/40/65hp four-cylinder models, at the 1921 Berlin Automobile Show. The three separate figures in the model's name were in references to nominal rated horsepower, horsepower un-blown, and horsepower with blower engaged respectively.

Following the company merger in 1926, the 15/70/100hp was reclassified as Type 500 and the 24/100/140hp became the 630. Also that year, a 'K' (Kurz Radstand - short wheelbase) version became available for the first time, resting on a wheelbase that had been reduced from 148-inches to 134-inches. The 'K' was available as a four-door 'Sports four seater' or as a two-door 'Roadster.'

The three stout metal pipes exiting the right side of the hood would become a hallmark of the Mercedes-Benz 'Kompressor' cars. The three pipes discharged the car's exhaust gases, merging at the lower edge of the hood into a large single exhaust pipe.

The engine powering the 630K displaced 6.3-liters and was nearly identical to the engine powering the successful SSK racing models. It was a single-overhead-camshaft six-cylinder unit with an unusual 'bevel linkage' feature and delivered 138 horsepower with the Roots supercharger engaged. The supercharger was motivated by pressing the throttle pedal to the floor, causing it to come to life and endow the engine with even more horsepower for brief periods of time. With the supercharger engaged, the 630K could justifiably claim to be the world's fastest production touring car, capable of top speeds in excess of 90 mph.

The engine was backed by a four-speed manual transmission that used a multi-plate dry disc clutch ('Mehrscheibentrockenkupplung'). The gear change was operated by a gear level that was initially to the driver's right, directly outside the door. It was later relocated to a more conventional location in the middle of the floor to the driver's left. The suspension configuration was also conventional, employing rigid beam axles and semi-elliptic leaf springs. Stopping power was provided by a cable linkage operating on all four wheels. A vacuum-powered support ('Saugluftunterstützung') was added in 1928.

The Mercedes 630K was a Paragon with Herculean power, prestige, and elegance. Only the wealthy and most influential clientele were capable of affording these exclusive vehicles, with less than 400 examples built between 1926 and May of 1929. As many as 299 examples were built in 1928, 44 cars in 1927, and 12 in 1926. Just 22 examples were built in its truncated final year of production. Many examples wore 'factory' coachwork by Sindelfingen, while others wore custom coachwork by notable craftsmen such as Erdmann & Rossi, Reuter, Papler, Zschau, Jacques Saoutchik, Castagna, Stabilimenti Farina, Murphy, Hibbard & Darrin, D'Ieteren Frères, and Balzer.

The Typ 630 was replaced by the more powerful and larger Mercedes-Benz Typ 770 (W07). Production of the SS and SSK (Typ 06) had begun in 1928, although in small numbers. These were sports-bodied cars that continued to carry the performance banner for the Mercedes-Benz marque.

The Mercedes-Benz 630 incorporated knowledge gained on the track from the company's successful racing program and were among the most expensive, exclusive, and elegant vehicles of their era.

by Dan Vaughan

Town Car by Murphy

This vehicle was shipped to the United States where upon the Murphy Body Company of Pasadena designed and built its luxurious handcrafted town sedan body. A one of a kind creation. It sits atop a 148.5 inch wheelbase and is powered by a six-cylinder overhead cam engine with dual ignition and 60 pound supercharger.

This vehicle was a wedding present for Alice Busch Earl, the daughter of Anheuser Busch. After the death of Alice Busch, the vehicle remained the property of Mr. Whann, her husband and a prominent Los Angeles attorney.

La Baule Torpedo Transformable by Saoutchik
Chassis number: 385133
Engine number: 60793

This 1928 Mercedes-Benz 630K 'La Baule' Torpedo Transformable wears coachwork by Jacques Saoutchik. Saoutchik had trained as a carpenter, became a master of complex mechanisms, and would patent designs for a larger convertible top that would disappear completely within a car's bodywork.

In 1928, Saoutchik introduced the 'La Baule' Torpedo Transformable which incorporated his patented disappearing top. It was named for the northwest Atlantic seaside town where important concours were held. The disappearing top design of the 'La Baule' used a three-position top that could be set fully open, fully closed, or with only the driver's compartment for formal use.

The 'La Baule' design was applied to a variety of chassis, but perhaps most successfully to Mercedes-Benz, perfectly complimenting its mighty single-overhead-camshaft, 6.3-liter, six-cylinder engine.

This particular example, kommission no. 40926, was delivered on August 23rd of 1928 to Carrosserie Saoutchik to receive its 'La Baule' coachwork. Its original owner is not known, but it is believed to have been delivered to a buyer in the United States, as its earliest known history is from 1943 when it made an appearance in the film, Above Suspicion, as part of the Pacific Auto Rentals fleet. For approximately four decades, Pacific Auto Rentals supplied unusual automobiles to Hollywood film studios, and at one point, owned two 630 Ks in this style.

The 630K was later acquired from the Pacific Auto Rentals fleet by M.L. 'Bud' Cohn of Southern California. The car was featured in an article Mr. Cohn penned on his collection in the July-August 1964 issue of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America Star. Mr. Cohn notably stated that the original owner was the 'French Ambassador,' implying it would have been Paul Claudel who was the Ambassador to the United States from 1926 to 1933.

In the early 1970s, Mr. Cohn sold the 'La Baule' to the Craven Foundation of Ontario. When the Craven Foundation was dispersed in the early 1980s, the Mercedes was sold to the Blackhawk Collection of Danville, California. Around this time, it was restored to its present appearance featuring a two-tone blue livery, contrasted to an interior finished in the Saoutchik tradition with a combination of high-quality leather and multi-tone embroidered fabric.

After the restoration was complete, the car was displayed in the Blackhawk Museum for many years before joining its present owner in 2016.

by Dan Vaughan

Ferdinand Porsche designed the S-Type for Mercedes-Benz in 1927. The racer was constructed using pre-existing road version Mercedes vehicles, mainly the 400 and 630 models. The names of these vehicles came from their displacement size in liters. For example, the 400 had a four-liter engine while the 630 had a 6.3-liter engine, both were equipped with a supercharger and six-cylinders. The engine was one of the most appealing attributes of these vehicles. The drawbacks that robbed the vehicles of performance were its size, weight and basic suspension system. A cushy suspension and large size were ideal for luxury vehicles that carried the elite in society, but at the track, the vehicles were in need of more performance characteristics. An attempt was made to enhance the sporty nature of the 630 by shortening the wheelbase, which brought about the 'short' (Kurz) version. This drastically improved the vehicle's sporty appeal but more was needed to enhance the handling. Mercedes answer to this problem was the S-Type version which saw the chassis lowered and the engine moved back, improving the vehicle's balance. To improve its performance, the engine capacity was enlarged to 6.8 liters, thus birthing the 680 S.

The Nurburgring 1000 km race debuted in 1927. The track is challenging with it 172 turns and 25.6 km length. The track tests both the driver and the vehicle in all scenarios such as power, braking, and cornering. At the first Nurburgring race, it was the 680 S that emerged victoriously, a true testament to the vehicle's capabilities.

Future versions of the S-Type followed such as the 700 and 710 SS which saw horsepower ratings in the 225 range. Most were considered road-going cars but there was little to distinguish a car that was meant for the track and one that was meant for the road. Obviously, the vehicles fitted with luxurious coachwork never saw any track time but the roadsters, speedsters, and coupes (for example) could be used for dual purposes.

by Dan Vaughan