Mercedes has restored the 100-year-old Mercedes Targa Florio racing automobile that took half within the Targa Florio race in Sicily in 1924 and has been within the German producer’s possession since 1937.
On the event of the a centesimal anniversary of its participation within the Targa Florio race in Sicily, Mercedes has restored the Mercedes Targa Florio racing automobile, which has been within the firm’s museum since 1937. German traditional automobile journal Motor Klassik adopted the restoration course of as much as the primary check drive on the street.
On 27 April 1924, Daimler took half within the Targa Florio race in Sicily for the third time, successful with Christian Werner on the wheel. He crossed the end line first after 8 hours, 17 minutes and three seconds.
Mercedes has gained the Targa Florio within the Sicilian mountains thrice. Giulio Masetti gained in 1922 with a privately owned Mercedes automobile with 115 PS, painted darkish purple as an alternative of white. Christian Werner was the primary non-Italian driver to win the Targa Florio in 1924, and Stirling Moss and Peter Collins gained in a 300 SLR, adopted by Jan Manuel Fangio and Karl Kling in 1955.Few individuals know that the Mercedes Targa Florio was developed by Ferdinand Porsche, who was then chief engineer at Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG), who used a platform from the Mercedes ‘Indianapolis’ racing automobile with a four-cylinder supercharged mechanical compressor engine designed by Paul Daimler and optimized it.
The Mercedes Targa Florio has been in Mercedes’ possession since 1937 and is exhibited within the German Museum in Munich and later within the Mercedes Museum in Stuttgart. The restored automobile just isn’t the successful quantity 10, which disappeared and not using a hint, however the quantity 32, pushed by Christian Lautenschlager, who completed tenth in the identical race.
In 1922, Masetti painted his automobile darkish purple to keep away from attainable obstruction from Italian followers, and Mercedes copied the concept in 1924.
Complicated restoration course of
For a short while, the automobile was owned by Wilhelm Eberhardt, who modified it for road use. That’s why, within the restoration course of, Mercedes restored the automobile’s physique to its unique plans, in line with the unique drawings within the Mercedes-Benz Traditional archives. Traces of the unique purple paint have been fastidiously revealed and analyzed. The Mercedes-Benz Traditional specialists spent 200 hours simply experimenting with the paint, with the automobile being painted with linseed oil paint utilizing a brush.The unique aluminum bodywork has been 95% restored to the unique.
The engine, a masterpiece of its time, was in a foul stage. The cylinder block was in disrepair, the cooling jacket had rusted, and one cylinder had blown. Positive sufficient, there had been one other try to rebuild the engine way back. Valves, pistons, and valve springs needed to be rebuilt, water pump, oil pump, and Roots compressor bearings have been repaired. The crankshaft and camshaft have been rebuilt after which refitted.
An try was made the place attainable to maintain the unique elements, which was profitable on the steering and rear axle, whereas within the gearbox, solely the sealing rings are new.
After sophisticated operations, the engine and transmission have been mounted on the automobile, which was prepared for the primary check drive. On the wheel was former F1 driver Karl Wendlinger.
The transmission and steering have been completely restored and are virtually similar to the unique automobile. The unequalled gray cast-iron brake footwear of the four-wheel cable-operated brakes are attribute of Mercedes racing vehicles of the time. The camberless rear axle was developed by Ferdinand Porsche, and the gear ratio of 1:5 was specifically tailored for the Targa Florio race, the place the highest pace was 120 kph. Drivers drove in third and fourth gear for many of the race.
The inside could be very cramped, but it surely did match Karl Wendlinger, who’s 1.87 m tall, and the 1.83 m tall editor of Motor Klassik.
On the left aspect of the aspect wall are two gas faucets and the hand pump, which the passenger makes use of to create strain in order that gas is pumped from the primary tank into an intermediate tank above the engine, the place it flows into the carburetor.Then, a pump on the engine takes over the pumping, and if it fails, the passenger can step in. Beneath is a reservoir from which the water pump might be lubricated. The left entrance wheel brake may also be adjusted utilizing a knurled wheel.
The 4-cylinder engine cranks and sounds throaty and deep, uncommon for a four-cylinder. The racing driver wants a interval of lodging as a result of the throttle is within the center, the brake pedal on the appropriate, and the clutch on the left. Benefiting from mechanical supercharger supercharging, the engine is springy however doesn’t go over 3000 rpm. The wind blows with hurricane power even at low speeds, and each transverse bump is felt up the backbone. It’s unbelievable in what situations the drivers have been racing in these days.
