Mercedes SSK (1929)
What you’re looking at is perhaps the original road-going supercar.
Of course, special one-offs like the Blitzen Benz and Fiat Mephistopheles came first, with aeroplane-spec engines and fuselages, but the Mercedes SSK was a very different animal – it was meant for customers.
Its 7.1-litre straight six was supercharged to produce up to 300bhp and 500lb ft – a staggering amount for a road-going car invented before the great depression. It was also mounted behind the front axle, which makes the SSK essentially mid-engined.
The way the blower worked was also pretty much Mad Max-spec – it was only available under 100 per cent throttle, where a special clutch connected to the accelerator would engage and spool up the supercharger. Nifty, no?
Racers of the era certainly thought so – the SSK attracted drivers like Rudolf Caracciola, and won endurance races in Argentina, Tourist Trophy races in Northern Ireland, and a series of Grand Prix races across Europe.
Oh, and did we mention it was designed by Ferdinand Porsche, right before he left to found his own company?
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