| Fitted with a Daimler
aero-engine, these cars were notorious for producing unusually high
RPM's and therefore placing strenuous demands on both car and driver.
Typical of MB even to this day, the 1914 era cars dominated the venues
in which they competed. The Daimler team won first, second and third
place in the French Grand Prix of 1914 in Lyon. Christian
Launtenschlager, Louis Wagner and Otto Salzer swept the field with an
average speed of 105.15 km/h (65.34 mph).
Ralph DePalma piloted a similar car to win the fifth Indianapolis 500 in 1915. He qualified 2nd on the grid with a speed of 158.65 km/h (98.580 mph) and held off Dario Resta in a Peugeot and Gil Anderson in a Stutz to lead 132 of the 200 laps. This beautiful racer is from the Miles Collier collection in Naples, Fl. It was photographed at the 1998 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance by Bill Wood. |
|
1914 Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Race Car |
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Bore | 93 mm |
| Stroke | 165 mm |
| Displacement | 4483 cc |
| Output @ 3,200 rpm | 115 hp |
| Top speed | 180 km/h |