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1936 Mercedes-Benz W25 Rekordwagen

1936 Mercedes-Benz W25 Rekordwagen

1936 Mercedes-Benz W25 Rekordwagen

This record car, fitted with a 1935 standard W 25 chassis, was a unique custom version. This was the first time in automobile manufacturing that a chassis was faired with a fully streamlined body, including the wheels and the car underbody. In the wind tunnel of the Friedrichshafen Zeppelinwerke, the body was measured as to its aerodynamical characteristics and improved accordingly. This car paved the way to the consequent application of aerodynamics in motor-vehicle construction. It was powered by the well-tried engine MD 25 DAB, which had initially been developed for the 750 kilogram car but turned out to be too heavy for it. An engine of this type was used also in the 1937 Avus race, the fastest race in the world; that engine had an output of 756 hp. The 1936 record car had a lower engine output, only 616 hp, but this was sufficient to establish a world record. — DaimlerChrysler

In Detail

tags silver arrow, golden era
submitted by Richard Owen
type Record Car
built at Stuttgart, Germany
engine MD 25 DAB/1 60 Degree V12
aspiration Front Longitudinal
valvetrain DOHC, 4 Valves per Cyl
displacement 5577 cc / 340.3 in³
bore 82 mm / 3.23 in
stroke 88 mm / 3.46 in
compression 7.8:1
power 459.4 kw / 616 bhp @ 5800 rpm
specific output 110.45 bhp per litre
bhp/weight 599.81 bhp per tonne
body / frame Aluminum over Oval-Tube Frame
driven wheels RWD
front tires 7.0×22
rear tires 7.0×22
front brakes Light -Alloy Drums w/Hydrualic Assist
rear brakes Light -Alloy Drums w/Hydrualic Assist
steering Worm & Nut
f suspension Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Friction Dampers
r suspension Swing Axle w/Transverse Leaf Springs, Friction Dampers
curb weight 1027 kg / 2264 lbs
wheelbase 2796 mm / 110.1 in
front track 1473 mm / 58.0 in
rear track 1412 mm / 55.6 in
length 5360 mm / 211.0 in
width 2100 mm / 82.7 in
height 1250 mm / 49.2 in
transmission 4-Speed Manual