Mercedes-Benz W 125 Streamliner

The current world speed record on a public road was set January 28th, 1938 by Rudolf Caracciola in the Mercedes-Benz W 125 Streamliner. For seventy-five years, the record-breaking 268.9 mph (432.7 kmh) run made on the A5 Autobahn between Frankfurt and Darmstadt has stood the test of time (and sanity).

Rudolf Caracciola, who at that time was the lead racing driver for Mercedes-Benz, achieved the record by hitting a speed of 268.862 mph (432.692 kmh) over one kilometre with a flying start. In addition, the existing record over the flying mile was also set at 268.65 mph (432.36 kmh). These figures represent the averages from two runs made in opposite directions.

For this top speed run, the Mercedes-Benz W 125 record-breaking car made use of an aerodynamically optimised body. Streamlined racing cars were not unusual at the time: Mercedes-Benz also successfully made use of them in circuit races.

For the record runs in January 1938, the record-breaking car – which was based on the all-conquering W 125 Silver Arrow – was not only equipped with a specially optimised 5.5-liter twelve-cylinder engine with two superchargers producing 736 hp, but also featured a flat, completely covered body with wedge-shaped, tapered tail end. Using wind tunnel measurements, the engineers reduced the aerodynamic drag to a sensational Cd value of 0.157. This included using a radically scaled-down air intake on the front end. As a result, the record-breaking car only “breathed in” – through two small openings – the amount of air required for the 5.6-litre V12 MD 25 DAB/3-type engine to work. Engine cooling, on the other hand, was achieved without using fresh air: instead the radiator was embedded in a 500-litre chest filled with ice and water.

The record attempts came to a sad end on the same day when racing great Bernd Rosemeyer lost his life while making a world speed record attempt for Auto Union. The 16-cylinder engine streamlined Auto Union Type C went into a skid at more than 250 mph and Rosemeyer was killed in the ensuing crash.

Michael Bock, Head of Mercedes-Benz Classic, commented, “Time and again our visitors talk about the spectacular presentation of the Mercedes-Benz W 125 record-breaking car, which is hanging on a vertical wall. Together with six other record-breaking vehicles, the streamlined car adds the impressive finishing touch to the high-bank curve in Legend Room 7‚ ‘Silver Arrows – Races and Records’. Acoustically, there is even an atmosphere similar to that found on the race track.”

The original vehicle is now showcased at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.

Optimized in the wind tunnel: Mercedes-Benz W 125 record car with twelve-cylinder engine, 1938.

Mercedes-Benz 12-cylinder record car W 125, 1938. At the wheel, Rudolf Caracciola established a new record on the Frankfurt – Darmstadt Autobahn. One kilometer from a flying start at an average speed of 268.9 mph.

Mercedes-Benz W 125 Speed Record Announcement

Mercedes-Benz W 125 record-breaking car

Mercedes-Benz W 125 at the factory museum in Germany

Mercedes-Benz W 125 at the factory museum in Germany

Mercedes-Benz W 125 at the factory museum in Germany

(See Streamliners – Daimler-Benz Through The Decades)

[Source: Daimler AG]

via sportscardigest

Artcurial Retromobile 2013 – Auction Preview

1936 Talbot-Lago T150 C – Estimate €1,200,000 – €1,600,000.

The Artcurial Motorcars Retromobile Auction 2013 will be staged Friday 8th February at the Retromobile Show in Paris. Under the gavel of former racing driver Herve Poulain, a crowd of 3,000 is expected for the 3rd annual auction.

Artcurial has assembled a strong collection of 115 motor cars, 25 motorcycles and assorted automobilia for their 2013 Retromobile auction, headlined by the ex-works 1936 Talbot-Lago T150 C, one of the stars of pre-war endurance races, which took part three times in the Le Mans 24 Hour Race and once in the Mille Miglia, driven by Chiron/Chinetti/Rosier (estimate €1,200,000 – €1,600,000).

Other highlights include the 1962 Ferrari 250 GT cabriolet Pininfarina Series II, with hardtop, discovered in the basement of a building in Marseille, with 15,000 km on the clock, and in the hands of the second owner since 1969 (estimate €600,000 – €800,000).

Another consignment is the 1995 Bugatti EB 110 SS, the 31st and last EB 110 built and belonging to Romano Artioli, creator of Bugatti Automobili Spa in 1987. With only 14,000 km from new, it is sure to attract interest (estimate €380,000 – €480,000).

Further offerings at the 2013 Artcurial Retromobile sale include the nine-car collection of Corsican publisher and singer, Pierre Brignole, notably the 1932 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet by Vanvooren (estimate €550,000 – €850,000), the no reserve 1970 Lamborghini Miura S (estimate €380,000 – €480,000) and the no reserve 1985 Lamborghini Countach QV (estimate €120,000 – €180,000).

“I am proud to have known this Corsican, since the end of the 1980s when, moving on from a newspaper of small ads, this press man began to diversify his interests and passions, with automobiles at the forefront. The majority of the cars were bought at auctions I held at the Palais des Congres. The line-up of models reveals two favoured themes: classics of the grand marques bodied by the best coachbuilders, and sports cars,” said Maitre Herve Poulain.

Additionally, the private collection of a Peugeot dealer in Germany will cross the block, including eight Citroens and a Peugeot 402 Eclipse, one of 29 known examples and in Concours condition (estimate €170,000 – €240,000).

The Artcurial Motorcars team, headed by Matthieu Lamoure, took last year’s sale to new heights, achieving an all-time record result for a car sale in France, with the ex-Roger Vadim 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider selling for €4,507,100.

This year’s auction, led by Herve Poulain, will take place on Friday 8th February 2013 at the Retromobile Show, Hall 4.3. The sale will start at 2:00pm for automobilia and 6pm for motorcycles and motorcars. Public viewing hours are Wednesday 6th February from 11am – 10pm, Thursday 7th February from 10am – 7pm and Friday 8th February from 10am – 6pm.

For additional information, visit Artcurial Retromobile Catalog or phone +33 (0)1 42 99 20 56.

Artcurial Retromobile 2013 – Auction Preview

1962 Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Cabriolet Series II – Estimate €550,000 – €850,000.

1982 Lancia 037 – Estimate €120,000 – €200,000.

1956 Maserati A6G 2000 Allemano – Estimate €425,000 – €500,000.

1953 Fiat 8V Vignale – Estimate €750,000 – €850,000.

1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible by Murphy – Estimate €850,000 – €1,100,000.

1936 Peugeot 402 Eclipse Coupe-Cabriolet – Estimate €170,000 – €240,000.

[Source: Artcurial]

via sportscardigest

PARKING LOT D’ELEGANCE

Location is everything. Homesteading alongside one of the most famous driving roads in the world, 

we at The Emporium of Postmodern Activities get to see nearly every car that’s ever put rubber to pavement.

 The hashtag #parkinglotdelegance on our Instagram account (deusemporium) has been our way of lionizing

 the myriad manifestations of motorized vehicles that find their way into our parking lot.

 Over the nine months we’ve been here the photos have steadily piled up,

 with each image nudging us to do something bigger, something awesomer. 

Last weekend we brought the hashtag to life and #parkinglotdelegance found full expression in our backyard as,

 you guessed it, Parking Lot d’Elegance. Enjoy the photos from the day and don’t touch 

that dial because we’ve got designs to do something like this again real soon.

24 Heures du Mans 2013 : les 56 engagés

L'Automobile Club de l'Ouest a présenté cet après-midi, lors d'une conférence de presse tenue dans l'enceinte de l'Eurosites Georges V, la liste des équipes retenues pour participer à la 90ème édition des 24 Heures du Mans en juin prochain.

Comme prévu, la catégorie LMP1 est la moins fournie avec seulement huit voitures engagées. Audi alignera trois R18 e-tron quattro face aux deux Toyota TS030 Hybrides officielles. La grille LMP1 sera complétée par les deux Lola B12/60 Coupé-Toyota du Rebellion Racing et l'HPD ARX 03a-Honda du Strakka Racing.

La catégorie LMP2 a en revanche fait le plein d'engagés avec pas moins de 23 concurrents, dix-sept d'entre eux étant équipés de motorisations Nissan. Les châssis Oreca 03 seront présents en nombre (8 engagés), avec notamment le Thiriet byTDS Racing, vainqueur ELMS 2012, et le Team Signatech. Suivent les châssis Morgan (3 voitures pour le Team OAK Racing et une pour le Team chinois KCMG) et Zytek Z11SN (2 voitures pour Greaves Motorsport notamment).

Les tenants du titre du Starworks Motorsport feront de nouveau confiance au châssis HPD ARX-03b-Honda tout comme le Level 5 Motorsport, et on notera côté nouveautés l'apparition des Lola T128 du Team Lotus ainsi que l'inscription du Sébastien Loeb Racing avec pour pilote Franck Montagny.

En catégorie GTE-Pro, la Ferrari F458 du JMW Motorsport sera bien esseulée au milieu des structures officielles qui aligneront deux voitures chacune. Les Teams Aston Martin Racing, AF Corse, Porsche AG Manthey et Corvette Racing accueilleront les nouveaux venus du SRT Motorsports pour le grand retour des Viper GTS-R dans la Sarthe.

En catégorie GTE-Am enfin, quatorze concurrents seront aux prises dont les Teams IMSA Performance Matmut (2 voitures), Proton Competition et Dempsey Racing-Proton, lesquels évolueront sur des Porsche 911 GT3 RSR.

Ferrari bénéficiera des trois voitures du Team AF Corse ainsi que de celles du Krohn Racing, du 8star Motorsport et du Extreme Speed Motorsports. Enfin le Team Larbre Competition alignera ses traditionnelles Corvette C6 ZR1 et le Team officiel Aston Martin présentera deux Vantage V8 pour un total de quatre engagements en catégorie GT.

Le 56ème stand est quant à lui dévolu depuis longtemps à la GreenGT Technologies, qui sera pilotée, entre autres, par l'italien Christian Pescatori.