Famous German Marque

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23121, 20 August 1938, Page 16 (Supplement)

Famous German Marque

Widespread interest was created by the publication last week of a photograph of a lino Mercedes-Benz roadster, owned by a visitor to Auckland. One correspondent writes: —"This is quite an event for car-conscious Auckland and it is a pity that- the machine was not seen in action. " Judging from the photograph, the car is a type 540k, and I thought a few details might be of interest. The typo No. 540 refers to the capacity, 5.4 litres, and the " K " to "kompresser," this model being fitted with a supercharger engaged in. the usual Marcedes practice by clutch. The push-rod operated overhead-valve motor gives approximately 180 brake horse-power at 3400 revolutions a minute with the 'blower.' The car is also available without the supercharger, bringing the brake horse-power output down to 115. The four-speed box is fitted with the following ratios:—First, 11.9 to 1; second, 7 to 1; third, 4.4 to 1; fourth, 3.08 to 1. An 'over-top' drive is also available. " As regards performance the Mercedes lives up to its great reputation. The 100 miles an hour mark, rather impossible in New Zealand in the present Semple era, is reached in the vicinity of 41 seconds, the maximum being about 110. These figures could be considerably improved in an open sports body. From a standstill to 60 miles an hour takes 12 seconds. "Various other features of this marque are front-end independent suspension, also rear end, servo-assisted Lockheed brakes, and differential casing mounted directly on to the frame. The flexible external exhaust system has been Mercedes' practice since pioneer days. The price of the chassis is approximately £1395. The fuel consumption is 10 miles to the gallon. "The Mercedes is definitely one of the world's super cars, ranking with Rolls-Royce, Hispano Suiza, lsottaFraschini and Bentley. The type 540K is a modern and more docile representation of the SSK and SSKL scries of the lato 'twenties. The SS series, although with larger engines, is revered by enthusiasts as one of the greatest sports cars. Incidentally, the SSKL model —7.1 litre engino and 'blower/ 5 m.iii. larger than the SSK —was capable of over 140 miles an hour, with four-seater body and full equipment. "The ' Merc.' is the product of the Daimler-Benz works, Stuttgart, GermAn SSK model Mercedes was used extensively in Auckland some years ago bv Sub-Lieutenant Home Ividston, R.N. Ite was timed at 118 miles an hour in this car at Muriwai Beach.