1900 Benz 20HP Rennwagen

First Benz car with inclined steering column:This racing car, developed by Georg Diehl and equipped with a horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine with an output of 20 hp, was the first Benz racing car with an inclined steering-column and a steering wheel instead of the customary horizontal steering handle. This car, driven by Benz’ 25-year-old chief mechanic Mathias Bender, won the 48 km Frankfurt international circuit race on 29 July 1900 with a driving time of 1:00:38, i.e. at an average speed of 47.5 km/h. Fritz Scarisbrick came 2nd with the 16 hp two-cylinder model.

 

In Detail

engine	Water-Cooled, Contra Opposed-4
position	Mid Engine
aspiration	Natural
valvetrain	2 Valves per Cyl
displacement	5440 cc / 332.0 in³
bore	120 mm / 4.72 in
stroke	120 mm / 4.72 in
power	14.9 kw / 20 bhp
specific output	3.68 bhp per litre
body / frame	Pressed Steel Frame
driven wheels	RWD w/Dual Side Chain Drive
front brakes	None
f brake size	mm / in
rear brakes	Hub and Block Brakes
r brake size	mm / in
steering	Worm & Nut
f suspension	Rigid Axle w/Full Elliptic Springs
r suspension	Rigid Axle w/Full Elliptic Springs
wheelbase	1900 mm / 74.8 in
front track	1250 mm / 49.2 in
rear track	1250 mm / 49.2 in
transmission	4-Speed Manual
gear ratios	:1
top speed	~48 kph / 29.8 mph