MERCEDES-BENZ SSKL – year 1931

Daimler Benz AG, Stuttgart, Germany.

Previous Mercedes models - the S, SS, SSK - produced as passenger and sports cars, They were intended for drivers who sometimes wanted to participate in races. The basis was a complete chassis with an engine at a price of approx 31 thousand RM, while the body was assembled as requested by the customer (np. roadster, convertible etc.). W 1930 year, the weight of the SSK was reduced by using a frame lengthwise with round holes. Thanks to this, the weight was approx 1000 kg. This version, marked with the symbol SSKL (Super sport short easy), it was intended only for players and was excluded from sale. For this reason, individual riders with the SS model shortened the undercarriage and drilled holes in the frame. Such cars, however, could be distinguished, because the actual SSKL models had the edges of the holes stiffened during the pressing of the string. Only six vehicles of this type were made. They reached their maximum power 220,8 kW (300 KM) and speed to 250 km/h. Controlling an engine with a compressor required masterful skills. The compressor was turned on by vigorously pressing the gas pedal. In order to immediately cover the increased fuel consumption without the formation of air bubbles, cars with a vacuum fuel supply had an additional gasoline drop tank installed..

In years 1930 i 1931 the best player, who has mastered the technique of driving on these vehicles, distinguished by difficult gear changes, ineffective brakes and difficult cornering, was Rudolf Caracciola - winner of the German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring circuit and the race at the Avuse circuit (1931). After his transition to the Alfa Romeo company in 1932 a young man appeared at the Avuse races, ambitious competitor Manfred von Brauchitsch, driving the Mercedes SSKL. The SSKL chassis received a new one, unusual, aerodynamic body. Aluminum body in the shape of a perfect teardrop built for a Mercedes by Freiherr von Koenig-Fachsenfeld after Zeppelin wind tunnel tests. In racing at the track Avuse von Brauchitsch took first place with an average speed 194,4 km / h and at the same time set a new track record.