1908 Benz 105 HP Rennwagen

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.

The start of the 1908 race saw three Mercedes 140HP racers in contention. They were flanked by 45 other competitors with half being from France. The Mercedes driven by Salzer took an early lead. His first lap was the fastest lap of the race; his time on the track ended prematurely due to mechanical problems. After retiring to the pits, the Mercedes driven by Christian Lautenschlager was soon in the lead and would ultimately finish the race in first place. It was a convincing victory with the second place car being nearly ten minutes behind.

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 Dan Vaughan

Two Seater

The early history of this Prince Heinrich Benz (either a 100 PS or a 105 HP) is not clear and it is not certain who drove it in the first Prinz Heinrich Tour in 1908. It was built to compete in the touring car race devised by Prince Heinrich of Prussia - a long-distance (2,200 km) race for four-seater touring cars. With its 105 horsepower engine and torpedo-shaped body, the Prinz Heinrich could reach a top speed of 135 km/h. Only about ten of these goliaths were built, and just four exist today.

Having survived the Prussian event in 1908, 1909 and 1910, this Prinz Heinrich was shipped to Benz of New York to be prepared for the Vanderbilt Cup race of 1910. Modifications included the replacement of the four-seat touring body with the two-bucket seat configuration that it wears today. Following the race, the car was modified yet again for the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911.

This Benz Rennwagen, sometimes called the 'Prince Heinrich,' is one of three cars Benz brought to America for the acclaimed 1910 Vanderbilt Cup held on Long Island. The drivers were David Bruce-Brown, Franz Heim and Eddie Hearn. The following year, the car was driven in the 1911 Indianapolis 500, possibly by William 'Billy' Knipper, starting 40th and finishing 18th. It was later owned by Barney Oldfield and then Lindley Bothwell, who used the car extensively on dirt tracks in the 1950s and 1960s. Bothwell donated the car to the Indianapolis Speedway Museum in 1965. They restored it in the 1990s to its current form which replicated its appearance in the 1911 Indy 500 Race. The current owners acquired the car in 2011.