Here's what Bugatti collectors do for fun....Try that with a Duesenberg,you'll throw a rod.

http://www.prewarcar.com/php/showvideo.php?id=100

Nice!

I bet those torque crazy I8's in the Duesenbergs can do some amazing burn outs though.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Here is a story about a race involving the Marx Bros and thier Benz.......http://hooptyrides.blogspot.com/2004/08/pouring-on-coal-pretty-hard.html

Interesting.

The benz motor was designed for short bursts of use with the blower iirc. Perhaps a sustained top speed run did it in.

Though they were raced extensively in Europe. I bet this one was not tuned correctly. A blown motor has to have the right fuel mix and spot on ignition timing to keep from melting pistons.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

it is a cool story but who really knows the "real story". I am not an expert but I doubt the over a long race very few Autos of that era could compete with a Duesenburgs 420ci 320 hp supercharged Lycoming. Benz being one that could maybe. Here is another good read. "With the use of a supercharger, the top speed increased even further, to nearly 140 mph. Zero-to-sixty took around eight seconds with 100 mph being achieved in seventeen seconds" http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z10992/default.aspx

I looked up some Benz history. Another good read. The 1935 500K (amazing car ) did its zero to 60 in 16 secs. http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z6316/Mercedes-Benz_500K/default.aspx

The facts are a little hard to fathom out but it is clear that both cars were impressive in their performance.

I think that the J Dusies were never raced in anything near their stock configuration but the Benses were raced in something resembling their stock set up. So comparisons may be a little tough to get to apples to apples.

Suffice it to say that both cars are hugely popular. The racing versions of the 540K may be more valuable than the Dusies but there are only a handful of them around.

Going up to the big fall Auburn auction, Dusies tend to be a little thick on the ground. I have seen perhaps as many as twelve in one place up there in a separate building for displaying special cars. Last time I went , '06, there was a stunning Alpha from the mid thirties that was black or dark blue and a closed coupe with just marvelous lines.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.