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Mercedes Benz SSK and SSKL - Or: how the holes got into the chassis

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Created on December 1, 1983

Reading time 9min

Written by:

Stefan Knittel

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

3

Archiv Daimler AG

41

Bruno von Rotz

6

Balz Schreier

1

Michael Alschner

1

Archiv

5

Daniel Reinhard

3

Archiv Daimler AG

41

Bruno von Rotz

6

Balz Schreier

1

Michael Alschner

1

Archiv

5

Mercedes Benz SSK (1930) - Rudolf Caracciola siegt am 19. Juli 190 beim Grossen Preis von Irland

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1928) - mit 170/225 PS

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1928) - in der Ausführung für Sportwagenrennen mit Windschutzscheibe, Kotflügeln, Scheinwerfern und Ersatzrädern - Teil des Mercedes-Benz-Museums

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1928) - Blick in den Motorraum

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1928) - massiges Lenkrad, um den kräftigen und schweren Wagen zu kontrollieren

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1928) - Tankverschluss

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Mercedes Benz SSKL (1931) - gut erkennbar sind die Erleichterungsbohrungen im Chassis

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Mercedes Benz SSKL (1931) - 300 PS dank immer mitlaufendem Kompressor

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Mercedes Benz SSKL (1931) - konsequenter Leichtbau und viel Leistung

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Mercedes Benz SSKL (1931) - ursprünglich hiess er SSK Modell 1931 - 125 kg weniger rechtfertigten das "L" wie "Leicht"

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1929) - Sportwagen mit 160/200 PS, so gebaut bis 1932

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Mercedes Benz SSKL (1931) - zwei Reserveräder für Langstreckenrennen an Bord

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1928) - Fahrgestell mit dem Motor hinter der Vorderachse

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1928) - durch Kürzung des S-Chassis um 45 cm entsteht unter Verwendung des Motors aus dem SS der SSK - "K" für "Kurz"

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1930) - 225 PS mit Kompressor-Höchstleistung

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1928) - mit 170/225 PS, so gebaut zwischen 1928 und 1932

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1928) - für Langstreckenfahrten mit zwei Ersatzrädern gerüstet

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1928) - als Sportwagen

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1928) - Cabriolet A

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Mercedes Benz SSK Cabriolet A (1928) - Karosserie von Papler

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Mercedes Benz SSK Cabriolet A (1928) - Karosserie von Papler

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1928) - Werksausführung

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1929) - so gebaut zwischen 1929 und 1930 - 250 PS Maximalleistung

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Mercedes Benz SSK Cabriolet A (1930) - Luxus-Sportwagen zum Preis eines Eigenheims

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Mercedes Benz S Kompressor (1927) - als offener Tourenwagen

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Mercedes Benz SS Cabriolet A (1931) - Karosserie von Castagna

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Mercedes Benz SS (1929) - Motor M 06

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1928) - mit mächtigem 7,1 Liter-Sechszylinder

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1928) - Motor M 06 mit Kompressor

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1928) - Motor M 06 mit Kompressor

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1928) - Motor M 06

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1932) - Grosser Bergpreis von Brasilien am 28. Februar 1932 - Hans Stuck gewinnt in neuer Rekordzeit

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Mercedes Benz SSKL (1931) - Rudolf Caracciola siegt im Mercedes am Tratra-Bergrennen

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Mercedes Benz SSKL (1932) - Hans Stuck beim Grossen Bergpreis von Brasilien am 28. Februar 1932 - Rekordzeit

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1931) - Rudolf Caracciola am Avus-Rennen in Berlin am 2. August 1931

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1931) - Rudolf Caracciola und Wilhelm Sebastian am Start zur Mille Miglia 1931

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1931) - Rudolf Caracciola am Avus-Rennen in Berlin im Jahr 1931

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Mercedes Benz SSKL (1932) - Manfred von Brauchitsch mit Stromlinienkarosserie als Sieger beim Avus-Rennen in Berlin am 22. Mai 1932

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1931) - Zieldurchfahrt der Sieger Caracciola/Sebastian an der Mille Miglia 1931

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1931) - Rudolf Caracciola und Wilhelm Sebastian überqueren den Appenin an der Mille Miglia 1931

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1929) - Start zum Grossen Preis von Monza von 1929 gegen harte Konkurrenz von Maserati

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Mercedes-Benz SSK (1928) - in der Sammlung Brook Stevens

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Mercedes-Benz SSK (1928) - 7,1 Liter Hubraum, 6 Zylinder, 170 bis 225 PS

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Mercedes-Benz SSK (1928) - restauriert im Automuseum Nettelstadt

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Mercedes-Benz SSK (1929) - um das Jahr 1980 herum

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Mercedes-Benz SSK (1930) - bei einer Auktion in Genf im Jahr 1973

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Für die Schönen und Reichen der rote 500 K im Hintergrund, für die Sportlichen der weisse SSK im Vordergrund - Mercedes-Benz-Museum

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1928) - am Roßfeldrennen 2013

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1931) - am Klausenrennen 2013 in der Gleichmässigkeitswertung

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1931) - am Klausenrennen 2013 in der Gleichmässigkeitswertung

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Mercedes-Benz SSK 720 (1929) - an der Saalbach Classic 2013

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Mercedes-Benz SSK 720 (1929) - an der Saalbach Classic 2013

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1929) - Racing Legends an den Classic Days Schloss Dyck 2013

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Impressionen von den Classic Days auf Schloss Dyck - Mercedes Benz SS und SSK im Fahrerlager

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Links aussen: Der weisse Mercedes-Benz SSK (1928) mit Jochen Mass am Steuer - ADAC Eifelrennen 2013

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Mercedes-Benz 710 SSK (1929) - Teilnehmer im Rennen um die Brookland Trophy am Goodwood Revival 2012

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Mercedes-Benz SSK (1928) - am Grossglockner Grand Prix 2012

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Summary

At the beginning of the 1930s, Mercedes Benz engaged in works racing disguised as private outings. The Mercedes Benz SSKL, which could be recognized by its perforated chassis, was created as a racing car. This report provides an insight into the history of the SSKL and its brother SSK, explaining their differences and characteristics. Many historical pictures illustrate the unusual design and its successes.

This article contains the following chapters

The one-man private works team
The works car for "private use"
Stuck follows Caracciola
The streamlined version
The development history of the SSKL
From the "S" to the "SSK"
More power for the racing engines
With lightening bores to the "SSKL"
Even then, a major rebuild was carried out
SSKL production figures
The stories about the "works cars"
Mysteries and astonishing finds

Estimated reading time: 9min

Preview (beginning of the article)

It's not just the holes in one of the most famous automobile chassis that made racing history - but there has always been so much discussion about those holes that legend and reality have often merged. The circumstances that led to Daimler-Benz AG ceasing racing operations at the end of 1930, which have already been explained many times, left one of Germany's most famous men unemployed: Rudolf Caracciola. It had been foreseeable that the world economic crisis would also affect motorsport ... Race director Alfred Neubauer was one of those who regretted the Untertürkheim reorganization the most. He feared that his protégé Caracciola would move to Alfa Romeo, and he pulled out all the stops to prevent this. Don Alfredo" succeeded in concluding a special agreement with his company whereby Caracciola was to be supported as a "one-man team" in the 1931 season. This was officially presented as a private assignment. But the vehicle made available to him would be a works car.

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