Mercedes-Benz SSK Ex Carlos Zatuszek - 1929 Serial number: 36246 Engine: #72308 six-cylinder in-line unit with aluminium cylinder block, cast iron head and aluminium crankcase Bore x stroke: 100 x 150 mm (the engine fitted in the car had been rebored to 101,5 mm upping the capacity to 7 278 cc) Capacity: 7 065 cc (originally) Timing gear: one OHC Intake: one special twin-choke Mercedes carburettor Compression ratio: 6 :1 Maximum power: 225 bhp @ 3 300 rpm (with the supercharger on) Transmission: 4 ratios + R manual gearbox Chassis frame: thick gauge U-section steel side and cross members Body: two-seat racing body in aluminium Front suspension: solid axle, half-elliptic leaf springs, friction and Houdaille hydraulic shocks Rear suspension: solid axle, half-elliptic leaf springs, friction and Houdaille hydraulic shocks Wheelbase: 2 950 mm Front track: 1 420 mm Rear track: 1 420 mm Dry weight: 1 700 kg Brakes: four drums mechanically actuated Mercedes-Benz system Wheels: central locking 20" wire wheels Tyres: 6.50/7.00 x 20 Performance: + 120 mph (200 km/h) max speed Production: from 1928 to 1932 Total production: 38 cars Although the Mercedes SSK had not been the ultimate variant of the celebrated S-series, it is without any doubt the most famous model. The Mercedes SSK (for Super Sport Kurz, short) was developed from the S-type chassis shortened by 450 mm (18") and fitted with a 7- liter SS engine. Three variants of this engine (100 x 150 mm) were produced simultaneously with powers ranging from 170 to 240 bhp (supercharger off) and from 225 to 300 bhp (supercharger on). The whole production lasted from 1928 to 1934. About thirty-three SSKs rolled out from the factory from 1928 to 1932 and about half this number were competition cars like the example offered here for sale which was sold with the word "Rennwagen" (racing car) written on the invoice. Some Ss and SSs chassis have been shortened after their delivery. The 225 bhp engine (more reliable) was used in long races, the 250 and 300 bhp units for short sprints and hill climb races. The SSKs and SSKLs won many events from 1928 to 1933 driven, among others, by Rudi Caracciola, Hans Stuck and Manfred von Brauchitsch. Only three SSKLs (Leicht, light) were factory-built and four others were made from SSKs. They have all disappeared. So a genuine SSK remains the most looked for model of the S-series. The racing history of the S/SS/SSK series would provide the material of several books. The greatest SSK driver was Rudi Caracciola who started his fabulous career by winning at the Nürburgring in 1927 with an S-type before achieving international fame when he won the 1929 Tourist Trophy at Belfast at the wheel of a works SS. The engine of this car anticipated the SSK unit with a power of about 275 bhp thanks to a blower. The pair Caracciola/SSK was soon synonymous of victory in circuit and hill climb racing. In 1930 and 1931, Mercedes won the European Mountain Championship with the SSK and numerous events in the world. The SSK performed also brilliantly at the 1929 Monaco GP and German GP and at Monza. In 1930, it started again at Monaco, at the Mille Miglia (6th) and again at the Tourist Trophy. At Le Mans the SSK driven by Caracciola led the race duelling with the Bentleys for hours before being eliminated just by an electric failure. In 1931 with some factory support a private team was set up by Caracciola and Alfred Neubauer who developed the SSK into the SSKL (Leicht, light). They won the 1931 Mille Miglia and the German GP at the AVUS. But the economic depression forced Daimler-Benz to give up racing. See continuation