1923 Mercedes 28/95

Targa Florio Tourer

In the 1922 Targa Florio, a Mercedes 28/95 was driven by Max Sailer and completed the course in seven hours, twelve minutes, and eight seconds. The course was a total distance of 108 km. The course with difficult with only 24 of the 42 starters completing it. The winning vehicle was driven by Giulio Masetti in a Mercedes GP/14 who completed the course in six hours and fifty minutes. The 28/95 was about twenty-two minutes off the leader. The 7.2-liter aircraft-type six-cylinder engine was one of the most powerful of the day.

Commissioned by the American Mercedes Company of New York in June 1923. This 28/95 Short 'Targa Florio' chassis example is fitted with the three-seater style sports body. It was sold to its first owner, Reginald L. Brooks of New York City, in September 1924 and subsequently to a Franklin le Varre, also of New York, in November 1928. The Mercedes 'Targa Florio' took its name as a result of the successes of the class-winning chassis in the famed race event in 1921 and 1922. Powered by a six-cylinder, 7.2-litre aircraft-type engine, that was the most potent engine of its day, the 28/95 Mercedes was the evolutionary forerunner to the famed Mercedes of the late 1920's. Fitted with the preferred Zenith carburetor option, Rudge-Whitworth wheels, four-wheel brakes, and instruments and controls in English, the car was the subject of an extensive and historically accurate restoration in the late 1960's. A prized member of just three private collections for most of the past fifty years, the car has received awards at AACA Grand National events and two first-place honours at Pebble Beach. Most recently it was in the collection of NBC Radio Orchestra band leader and Mercedes collector, Don Ricardo.

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.

The 28/95 was a very versatile vehicle, used for a number of scenarios. They were used in racing competitions where their reliability and high-performance construction often provided the driver with podium finishes. The cars were also used as daily drivers. Many were fitted with large and luxurious coachwork. The high cost of purchasing one meant it was also a status symbol, enjoyed by only the privileged and those of wealth.

by Dan Vaughan