In 1926, when the automobile manufacturing firms of Benz and Daimler merged becoming Daimler-Benz AG, a rare thing happened as far as business amalgamations were concerned- it was a very profitable joining. It became successful because it allowed the creative and artistic minds of Germany’s two top companies (Daimler and Benz) to collaborate as never before. Some of the most beautiful and exciting automobiles ever built, were produced because of this union. It also helped the finances. A year after the new company was formed, sales increased to three times more than the previous total output of both firms!
One of the inspired benefits of the merger included Ferdinand Porsche from Daimler -who became Daimler-Benz’s chief designer and Hans Nibel from Benz -who previously worked on the slick 200 hp “Blitzen Benz” project which won the speed record in 1910. Porsche, who had previously worked for the Austrian arm of Daimler, contributed to the design of the S, SS and SSK models. Hans Nibel eventually replaced Ferdinand when Porsche left to work for Steyr in 1928 (and eventually started his own firm in 1930). Both men are credited with developing this truly amazing vehicle, the MBZ S Tourer. Entered in many auto shows, it was declared by many contemporary automotive professionals of the day as “The Last Word in Motor Car Design.” Today, classic automobile lovers consider the S Tourer (the “S” stands for “Sport”) to be one of the most beautiful cars ever built.
The new creation was based on the previous model, the Daimler Model K- and then substantially changed. The chassis of the Mercedes – Benz Model S sat on a redesigned platform. Its dual-carburetor OHC six-cylinder, 6.8-liter 180 hp engine with a four-speed transmission, was equipped with a kompressor (a turbo developed by Porsche) which “made a shrieking sound not too dissimilar to a banshee” when the turbo was engaged. It was capable of speeds in excess of 100 mph, which was considered quite fast for a production vehicle in those days -and was often used in car races. The massive power plant was positioned a foot further back than the Model K’s-and the radiator was lowered to be almost even with the engine, giving the Model S more balance, better weight distribution and enhanced handling capabilities. To keep the car low to the ground the ladder frame was arched over the wheel axles, resulting in improved aerodynamics and a lower center of gravity. The innovations resulted in a very low, streamlined and classical look. It was considered to be the world’s fastest production car and certainly the ultimate super car of its time. More interestingly, the Mercedes S Tourer, unlike many of the cars found in museums today, was prized as a classic from the day it left the factory! It has been sought after ever since.
The Type S models were very popular with celebrities, members of the nobility-and of course race car drivers and enthusiasts. The Count De La Bastille of Monaco, millionaire Harold Vanderbilt, automobile pioneer Barney Oldfield, French flying ace Andre Dubonnet, race-car champion Ralph De Palma and the dancing Rowe Sisters all owned Type S models. Zeppo Marx also purchased one and raced it-at least once. While visiting with his brother Chico at famous Hollywood actor/singer Al Jolson’s house, he made a $10,000 wager with Jolson’s agent Phil Berg and his Deusenberg Model J. The Deusenberg won, but it was just a rare temporary departure for the Mercedes S from its customary winning performances. The Model S won the famous inaugural Nurburgring Race of 1927 which consisted of 621 miles and 172 turns! In all, it won 53 races and set 17 speed records. In fact, these S series cars won more races than any other pre-WWII Mercedes!
The Mercedes S performed on the screen as well as on the track. Some of its credits are: Death Takes a Holiday (1934), Sylvia Scarlett (1935) and Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo (1937).
The white Type S Tourer currently (on 5/5/2011) displayed in the Blackhawk Museum was actually owned by Al Jolson. It is easy to imagine why he was so taken by this revolutionary vehicle. Its long hood, stylish running boards, magnificent looking wheels and large headlights made a statement of profound technological and artistic wonder which few words could describe. An auto journalist of the time did try. “Words fail me,” declared the writer, “this is the most amazing motor car it has ever been our fortune to drive.” Jolson was so impressed by the Type S that he purchased another one for his wife, actress Ruby Keeler!
Less than 150 of the Mercedes-Benz Model S were produced between 1927 and 1928.
References: The Classic Mercedes- Benz, Phil Drackett, Exeter Books, 1983.
Mercedes-Benz Club of America, www.mbca.org
Mercedes-Benz History: The Super Sport Short , www.emercedesbenz.com
How Stuff Works, http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1927-1932-mercedes.htm/printable
Motorbase, http://www.motorbase.com/auctionlot/by-id/1751192526/
1928 Mercedes Benz S Tourer
In 1926, when the automobile manufacturing firms of Benz and Daimler merged becoming Daimler-Benz AG, a rare thing happened as far as business amalgamations were concerned- it was a very profitable joining. It became successful because it allowed the creative and artistic minds of Germany’s two top companies (Daimler and Benz) to collaborate as never before. Some of the most beautiful and exciting automobiles ever built, were produced because of this union. It also helped the finances. A year after the new company was formed, sales increased to three times more than the previous total output of both firms!
One of the inspired benefits of the merger included Ferdinand Porsche from Daimler -who became Daimler-Benz’s chief designer and Hans Nibel from Benz -who previously worked on the slick 200 hp “Blitzen Benz” project which won the speed record in 1910. Porsche, who had previously worked for the Austrian arm of Daimler, contributed to the design of the S, SS and SSK models. Hans Nibel eventually replaced Ferdinand when Porsche left to work for Steyr in 1928 (and eventually started his own firm in 1930). Both men are credited with developing this truly amazing vehicle, the MBZ S Tourer. Entered in many auto shows, it was declared by many contemporary automotive professionals of the day as “The Last Word in Motor Car Design.” Today, classic automobile lovers consider the S Tourer (the “S” stands for “Sport”) to be one of the most beautiful cars ever built.
The new creation was based on the previous model, the Daimler Model K- and then substantially changed. The chassis of the Mercedes – Benz Model S sat on a redesigned platform. Its dual-carburetor OHC six-cylinder, 6.8-liter 180 hp engine with a four-speed transmission, was equipped with a kompressor (a turbo developed by Porsche) which “made a shrieking sound not too dissimilar to a banshee” when the turbo was engaged. It was capable of speeds in excess of 100 mph, which was considered quite fast for a production vehicle in those days -and was often used in car races. The massive power plant was positioned a foot further back than the Model K’s-and the radiator was lowered to be almost even with the engine, giving the Model S more balance, better weight distribution and enhanced handling capabilities. To keep the car low to the ground the ladder frame was arched over the wheel axles, resulting in improved aerodynamics and a lower center of gravity. The innovations resulted in a very low, streamlined and classical look. It was considered to be the world’s fastest production car and certainly the ultimate super car of its time. More interestingly, the Mercedes S Tourer, unlike many of the cars found in museums today, was prized as a classic from the day it left the factory! It has been sought after ever since.
The Type S models were very popular with celebrities, members of the nobility-and of course race car drivers and enthusiasts. The Count De La Bastille of Monaco, millionaire Harold Vanderbilt, automobile pioneer Barney Oldfield, French flying ace Andre Dubonnet, race-car champion Ralph De Palma and the dancing Rowe Sisters all owned Type S models. Zeppo Marx also purchased one and raced it-at least once. While visiting with his brother Chico at famous Hollywood actor/singer Al Jolson’s house, he made a $10,000 wager with Jolson’s agent Phil Berg and his Deusenberg Model J. The Deusenberg won, but it was just a rare temporary departure for the Mercedes S from its customary winning performances. The Model S won the famous inaugural Nurburgring Race of 1927 which consisted of 621 miles and 172 turns! In all, it won 53 races and set 17 speed records. In fact, these S series cars won more races than any other pre-WWII Mercedes!
The Mercedes S performed on the screen as well as on the track. Some of its credits are: Death Takes a Holiday (1934), Sylvia Scarlett (1935) and Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo (1937).
The white Type S Tourer currently (on 5/5/2011) displayed in the Blackhawk Museum was actually owned by Al Jolson. It is easy to imagine why he was so taken by this revolutionary vehicle. Its long hood, stylish running boards, magnificent looking wheels and large headlights made a statement of profound technological and artistic wonder which few words could describe. An auto journalist of the time did try. “Words fail me,” declared the writer, “this is the most amazing motor car it has ever been our fortune to drive.” Jolson was so impressed by the Type S that he purchased another one for his wife, actress Ruby Keeler!
Less than 150 of the Mercedes-Benz Model S were produced between 1927 and 1928.
References: The Classic Mercedes- Benz, Phil Drackett, Exeter Books, 1983.
Mercedes-Benz Club of America, www.mbca.org
Mercedes-Benz History: The Super Sport Short , www.emercedesbenz.com
How Stuff Works, http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1927-1932-mercedes.htm/printable
Motorbase, http://www.motorbase.com/auctionlot/by-id/1751192526/
