1976 Mercedes-Benz C111-IID

In the fall of 1973, a boycott of the oil-producing countries brought about the so-called oil crisis and crude oil, hitherto an inexpensive commodity, became a precious resource. In 1976 engineers installed low-consumption diesel engine with five cylinders in the C 111-II for the first tests. In the car, now called C 111-IID, the OM 617 LA engine developed as much as 190 hp, thanks to turbocharging and intercooling.

With this powerful diesel engine under the bonnet of a spectacularly styled gull-wing model, painted in bright orange, Mercedes-Benz was soon geared up for some record-breaking drives. The C 111-II D powered its way to some sensational records at the Nardo circuit in southern Italy in 1976. For a whole hour, for example, it circled the high-speed track at anaverage speed of 253.770 km/h. It went on to collect further records in all categories – over distances of 10 to 10,000 kilometres and over periods of 6 to 24 hours.

No one had previously thought a diesel vehicle capable of such performance.

In Detail

submitted by	Richard Owen
type	Record Car
built at	Germany
production	1
engine	5-Cylinder
position	Front
aspiration	Natural
displacement	3000 cc / 183.07 in³
power	141.7 kw / 190 bhp
specific output	63.33 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	153.23 bhp per tonne
body / frame	Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic Body over Sheet Steel Chassis
driven wheels	RWD
front tires	4.50/11.60-15
rear tires	5.50/13.60-15
front brakes	Internally Ventilated Discs w/Vacuum Assist
rear brakes	Internally Ventilated Discs w/Vacuum Assist
steering	Recirculating Ball
f suspension	Double Wishbones w/Torsion Bar, Spring Struts
r suspension	Tripple Wishbones w/Torsion Bar, Spring Struts
curb weight	1240 kg / 2734 lbs
wheelbase	2620 mm / 103.1 in
front track	1410 mm / 55.5 in
rear track	1405 mm / 55.3 in
length	4440 mm / 174.8 in
width	1800 mm / 70.9 in
height	1120 mm / 44.1 in
transmission	5-Speed ZF 5 DS-25/1 Transaxle
final drive	3.166:1
top speed	~300 kph / 186.4 mph
0 – 60 mph	~4.7 seconds