Early Summer Reading on Recent Automobile Industry History

Hi folks -- there are so many good books, recently published, that are out there! So I went to the e-catalogue of my local Centerville Library this morning, and picked four titles to look at later today. They are Bob Lutz, Icons and Idiots; Sarah Morgan, Power: How J.D. Power....; and Bryce Hoffman, American Icon: Alan Mulally ..... Send me your summer reading recommendations and I will remark on them in due course, assuming I am not overwhelmed with your responses!

So is a $35 Million Fine Levied on GM Enough?

Transportation Secretary Fox stated he would like the cap raised to a 300 million fine in the future for such criminal negligence. What do you think?

Mercedes-Benz at the 2014 Historic Trophy Nurburgring

Mercedes-Benz SSK 27/170/225 PS (series W 06, 1928 to 1930). ADAC Eifelrennen 2011, “Elefantenrennen” on 11 September 2011. Winner-to-be Roland Asch is behind the wheel

Stuttgart. – At the Historic Trophy Nürburgring 2014 (30 May to 1 June 2014) Mercedes-Benz Classic is set to showcase numerous cars from the Mercedes-Benz Classic collection. In all likelihood, there will be seven former racing drivers at the wheels of legendary racing touring cars.

After six years of the “ADAC Eifel Race” the proven concept has a new name: the classic event is called the “Historic Trophy Nürburgring”. The Nürburgring, one of the most popular racetracks in the world, has close links with the motor sport history of Mercedes-Benz. In the inaugural race on 19 June 1927, Rudolf Caracciola emerged victorious ahead of team mate Adolf Rosenberger in a Mercedes-Benz model S. The legendary Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows were also born in the Eifel: at the beginning of June 1934, as the W 25 came to the starting line in silver  – legend has it – the racing cars were first stripped of their white paint at the Nürburgring livery for weight reasons. Manfred von Brauchitsch promptly won the prestigious International Eifel Race in a new record time.

“As a long-term partner and the main sponsor of the event we can look back over a 120-year motor sport history brimming with successes. With exciting original vehicles and former racing drivers we want to rekindle the historic motor sport of bygone eras in an authentic way and thus conjure up further magic moments. This works especially well on the Nürburgring,” says Michael Bock, Head of Mercedes-Benz Classic.

Dunlop FHR Long-Distance Cup and Youngtimer Trophy

The current commitment to historic motor sport demonstrated by Mercedes-Benz Classic started back in 2011, when the traditional division of the Stuttgart-based brand built a Mercedes-Benz 220 SE (W 111) to take part in the Dunlop FHR Long-Distance Cup. Since 2013, in addition to this vehicle which is affectionately referred to by fans as the “Racing Tailfin”, a Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II (W 201) has also been taking to the starting grid of the Youngtimer Trophy.

The Dunlop FHR Long-Distance Cup and the Youngtimer Trophy represent two different eras of touring car motor sport – and yet at the same time also complement each other in an ideal manner. While the FHR Long-Distance Cup organised by the Fahrergemeinschaft Historischer Rennsport e.V. (FHR) pits GT vehicles and touring cars manufactured from 1947 to 1975 against each other, the Youngtimer Trophy is for vehicles dating from 1966 to 1990. The regulations for both race series are essentially geared towards the standards applicable to the homologation of the original historic models. This helps to ensure the maximum authenticity and originality of the racing cars which take part. In the “Historic Trophy Nürburgring” races are held for both series.

In the three-hour race as part of the Youngtimer Trophy on Saturday, 31 May 2014, Bernd Schneider will be lining up on the starting grid in a Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II (known as the EVO II for short). The EVO II is honouring the 120-year motor sport anniversary of the brand in a very special way. For its second season as the works racing car competing in the Youngtimer Trophy, the motor racing touring car built in line with Group A regulations has been kitted out with special body stickers: historic photo motifs tell the story of motor sport from its origins 120 years ago, through the first triumphs in the DTM to Mercedes-Benz’s current racing activities.

The 220 SE “Tailfin” Saloon (W 111) is already enjoying its fourth season competing in the Dunlop FHR Long-Distance Cup. In the three-hour race also to be held on Saturday, 31 May 2014, the “Racing Tailfin” will be piloted by Jörg van Ommen. Sporting an authentic grey paint finish, the car complies with the provisions of Appendix K to the international sports law issued by the FIA (Féderation Internationale de l’Automobile). The major successes achieved by the 220 SE in the 1960s include victories at the European Rally Championships in 1960 and 1962, as well a win for Ewy Rosqvist and Ursula Wirth at the VI Argentinian Touring Car Grand Prix of 1962.

SSK on the starting grid at the “Elephant Race”

On Sunday, 1 June 2014 the 166 kW (225 hp) Mercedes-Benz SSK (W 06) invites enthusiasts on a journey to a particularly glorious era in motorsport history. Brand Ambassador Jochen Mass will be competing in the supercharged sports car dating from 1928 in the “Elephant Race”. The race for cars of the 1920s and early 1930s alludes back to the era which also witnessed the Nürburgring’s inaugural race in 1927. That race’s victorious Rudolf Caracciola, who was later to become the idol of the Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows era, laid the foundation for his honorary title of the times, that of “Master of the Nürburgring”, with his win.

DTM legends: original cars and their drivers

A particularly colourful and exciting chapter in the motor sport history of Mercedes-Benz will be opened on Saturday and Sunday (31 May/1 June 2014) by former racing drivers Roland Asch, Bernd Schneider, Ellen Lohr, Klaus Ludwig, Kurt Thiim and Jörg van Ommen. At the “30 years of the inaugural race at the Nürburgring GP track” revival with the Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3-16, the original winning car from 1984 of the then 24-year-old Brazilian Ayrton Senna, plus rides on the Grand Prix track exclusively for members of the official brand club, all eyes will be on the racing versions of the Mercedes Benz 190 (W 201) model. In 1988, Mercedes-Benz commenced its involvement in the German Touring Car Championships with the model 190 E 2.3‑16 (W 201). Since then the brand has been continuously active in the series, which was conducted in its original form until 1996 and revised as today’s German Touring Car Masters (DTM) in 2000. Since 1994, Mercedes-Benz has competed in the DTM with racing touring cars derived from the C-Class cars current at the time.

The Mercedes-Benz Classic cars at the Historic Trophy Nürburgring 2014

Mercedes-Benz SSK 27/170/225 hp (W 06), 1928

The SSK is the most exclusive and fascinating of the six-cylinder supercharged sports cars belonging to the Mercedes-Benz S-Series. The model designation stands for ”super-sports-short” (in German), alluding to both the car’s particularly sporty character and its shortened wheelbase.

Technical dataProduction period: 1928-1930
Cylinders: 6/in-line
Displacement: 7,065 cc
Output: 123 kW (170 hp), with a supercharger 166 kW (225 hp) at 3,300 rpm
Top speed: 192 km/h

Mercedes-Benz 220 SE (W 111) “FIA Appendix K”

Staying true to the 1960s, this competition vehicle is technically extremely close to the series-production model. The customary modifications include the reinforcement of chassis elements and body components, an increase in the size of the fuel tank and optimisation of the engine characteristics.

Technical dataProduction period: 1959-1965
Cylinders: 6/in-line
Displacement: 2,195 cubic centimetres
Output: 88 kW (120 hp) at 800 rpm
Top speed: approx. 170 km/h

Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3-16 (W 201), “Senna”

For the official inaugural race at the new Nürburgring race track on 12 in May 1984, Mercedes-Benz provided 20 identical Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3-16 (W 201) cars. The most striking difference from the thoroughbred production car was the integrated roll cage. The inaugural race was won by Ayrton Senna, then 24 years of age, who had already made a name for himself as an outstanding up-and-coming Formula 1 driver.

Technical dataProduction period: 1984
Cylinders: 4/in-line
Displacement: 2,299 cubic centimetres
Output: 163 kW (185 hp) at 7,200 rpm
Top speed: 230 km/h

Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3-16 (W 201), Group A

The use of this racing touring car in 1988 marked the return of Mercedes-Benz to racing, in parallel with its involvement in Group C.

Technical dataProduction period: 1988
Cylinders: 4/in-line
Displacement: 2,299 cubic centimetres
Output: 220 kW (300 hp) at 9,000 rpm
Top speed: approx. 260 km/h

Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution (W 201), Group A

In 1989, the 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution model was developed from the Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3-16 series-production car as a new variant specifically designed for competition in the German Touring Car Championship. In order to reach the weight of 1,040 kilograms prescribed by the rules, virtually the entire interior was removed, and a roll cage installed. For numerous body parts, such as the bonnet, boot lid and spoiler, the plastic Kevlar was used. The new model with the cumbersome model designation became “EVO” for short and from 1990 it was also known as “EVO I” to distinguish it from its successor.

Technical dataProduction period: 1989
Cylinders: 4/in-line
Displacement: 2,490 cubic centimetres
Output: 245 kW (333 hp) at 8,500 rpm
Top speed: approx. 280 km/h

Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II (W 201), Group A

Work on this second development stage of a DTM racing car based on the compact-class W 201 started in August 1989. The vehicles were developed by the in-house Mercedes-Benz sport technology (st) department. The Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II celebrated its racing debut on 16 June 1990 on the North Loop of the Nürburgring. In the years from 1990 to 1992, Mercedes-Benz achieved a triple victory with this vehicle in the overall DTM rankings in 1992 (Championship title for Klaus Ludwig, ahead of Kurt Thiim and Bernd Schneider) as well as 2nd place in the overall rankings in 1993 (Championship runner-up title for Roland Asch in the 190 E AMG Class 1).

Technical dataProduction period: 1990
Cylinders: 4/in-line
Displacement: 2,490 cubic centimetres
Output: 274 kW (373 hp) at 9,500 rpm
Top speed: approx. 300 km/h

Mercedes-Benz C 55 AMG, DTM Safety Car (W 203), 2004

What was then the new C 55 AMG has been the official DTM Safety Car since 2004. The powerful C-Class ensures safety on the race track in case of any incidents or unclear situations. For this special application modifications have been made, amongst other things, to the chassis, braking system, and engine cooling.

Technical data (production version)
Production period: 2004
Cylinders: 8/V
Displacement: 5,439 cubic centimetres
Output: 270 kW (367 hp) at 5,750 rpm
Top speed: 250 km/h (limited)

How hard can it be to replace a fuel pump relay on a 1982 W 107 Mercedes 380 SL?

Well, it can be harder than you think! Fuel problem at mid-week, with car dying, but then starting up right away. Diagnosis: fuel pump relay, a common culprit on these cars at this stage of their lives.  OK, so first thing I did was check Rockauto for the part -- they usually are the cheapest around.  Oh, oh, found that there are two possibilities one relay with 4 pins and another with 6 pins.  And I just so happen to have a six pin around, one that I found lying on the floorboard of a 380 SL in the pick and pull located in Chula Vista a while back.
So maybe I'll get a away Scot- free, I was thinking. But now I have to find the damn thing on my car.  Some internet sources say in the cowl behind the glove box; other sources say in the right kick panel where the fuse box is.  First I go behind the fuse box -- as it turns out way back, to where I can barely.  And there are three boxes there.  The likely one -- a box that have 5300/min and kickdown (mentioned in one online post) -- but that has 7 pins! Next go to right kick panel, and remove it because most of the fuses are not accessible any other way. I know that is where they put the relay in a 1979 450 SL, but not to be found on mine.
Finally, I find the 7 pin relay correctly illustrated at Pelican Parts.  What an ordeal! And getting to it requires great eyes, small hands, and flexible joints.

Mercedes Benz and the Millle Miglia, Past and Present

Mille Miglia, 1952. Racing victory poster by Hans Liska

Stuttgart – A strong contingent of exclusive classics from Mercedes-Benz Classic will be lining up in May 2014 to drive the Mille Miglia from Brescia to Rome and back. Following in the tracks of the legendary original road race held from 1927 to 1957, the modern race is a captivating reminder of two high points in the 120-year history of Mercedes-Benz motorsport: the victories of Rudolf Caracciola/Wilhelm Sebastian in a Mercedes-Benz SSK (1931) and Stirling Moss/Denis Jenkinson in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR (W 196 S, 1955).

A thousand stories, a thousand miles: the Mille Miglia is a true legend in motorsport history. For historic automobile enthusiasts all over the world, the regularity race counts as one of the main events on the annual race calendar. This year, the thousand-mile journey from Brescia to Rome and back will take place from 15 to 18 May 2014. Mercedes-Benz Classic is lining up at the start with numerous original vehicles from the era of powerful, supercharged racing sports cars as well as with racing and production sports cars from the 1950s.

In addition to the rally for vehicles that competed in the original race between 1927 and 1957, the organizers of the Mille Miglia will for the first time stage the Mercedes-Benz Tribute to Mille Miglia in 2014. This sporting competition will take place governed by the same rules as the actual Mille Miglia on the identical route from Brescia to Rome and back. The vehicles will start one hour before the competitors of the main field. Selected Mercedes-Benz vehicles not qualified to participate in the Mille Miglia are invited to take part in the tribute event. For example, this applies to the 300 SL Roadster (W 198 II) for classic vehicles built between 1958 and 1981 as well as for selected sports cars built after 1981. 

Outstanding Mercedes-Benz victories in 1931 and 1955

Mercedes-Benz and the Mille Miglia belong together, in fact they are inseparable. Of particular significance are the overall victories of 1931 and 1955, both of which are defining moments in the motorsport heritage of the Stuttgart manufacturer. These were not the only glorious chapters of the racing history books written at the Mille Miglia, with further contributions coming from a class win by Rudolf Caracciola and Christian Werner in 1930 in a Mercedes-Benz SSK and second place overall in 1952 by Karl Kling in a 300 SL racer (W 194).

The Mille Miglia has been staged out of the Tuscan town of Brescia since 1927. In the fourth edition of the road race leading over a distance of 1000 miles to Rome and back Mercedes-Benz scored a class victory for the first time in May 1930. The powerful Mercedes-Benz SSK racing sports car driven by Caracciola and Werner made quite an impression: “Forging his path through the dust, Caracciola, the German champion, appeared in his squat white Mercedes”, wrote the reporter from British “Motor” magazine in his race report published on 15 April 1930. At one point on the home leg, in the high country of Bologna, Caracciola lay in fourth place, but eventually fell back to sixth place. This was enough to take a class win for cars with engines greater than 5 litres.

In 1931, Caracciola became the first non-Italian driver to take overall victory in the Mille Miglia. He was joined in the Mercedes-Benz SSK by co-driver Wilhelm Sebastian. From 12 to 13 April, Caracciola delivered a superlative performance throughout the 1635 kilometre race at the wheel of the SSK. His average speed in the marathon from Brescia to Rome and back was 101.1 km/h  – the first time that the 100 km/h barrier had been broken at the Mille Miglia. In the mid 1930s, Caracciola reflected on this achievement in his first autobiography “Rennen – Sieg – Rekorde” (“Races – Victory – Records”): “1600 km on dusty country roads, passing gorges and ravines… around fearsome corkscrew bends and snake-like passages; through cities, towns and villages and again along dead-straight roads at an average of 150, 160, 170 km … one night and then another day.” He received a gold medal from the King of Italy and a cup from the Automobile Club of Germany in recognition of his victory.

Mille Miglia opens the door to a return to motor racing

Following the end of World War II, Mercedes-Benz returned to motorsport in 1952 with the newly developed 300 SL racing sports car (W 194). The first race appearance for the 300 SL, with its distinctive gullwing doors, was at the Mille Miglia. On 3 May 1952, there were three 300 SLs on the starting line in Brescia. On 4 May, Karl Kling and Hans Klenk finished in second place, with Rudolf Caracciola and co-driver Paul Kurrle following in fourth. Mercedes-Benz thus was the only manufacturer to finish with two vehicles in the top five in 1952. For racing manager Alfred Neubauer a dream was coming true. “That day, I started to feel young again,” the racing director later recalled.

This success was followed in 1955 by the second overall victory in the Mille Miglia by Mercedes-Benz with the 300 SLR racing sports car (W 196 S). Stirling Moss and his co-driver, Denis Jenkinson, won the thousand-mile race with an average speed of 157.65 km/h and the fastest time ever recorded of 10:07:48 hours. An all-time record. Second place belonged to Juan Manuel Fangio, who had entered as a solo driver, making for the perfect one-two. Mille Miglia success was not just the realm of the 300 SLR racers in 1955, with 300 SL (W 198) production sports cars also enjoying outstanding results that year: The team of John Fitch/Kurt Gesell were victorious in the Gran Turismo class for over 1600 cc, followed by their teammates Olivier Gendebien/Jacques Washer and Salvatore Casella (Places 5, 7 and 10 overall).

Mercedes-Benz Classic cars at Mille Miglia 2014

Mercedes-Benz SS 27/170/225 hp (W 06), 1930 – road-going version

With a displacement of 7.1 litres, the Model SS (Super Sport) six-cylinder in-line engine delivers up to 125 kW (170 hp) without supercharger, and up to 166 kW (225 hp) with the supercharger. Despite its powerful engine, the Mercedes-Benz SS is considered to be a Gran Turismo model, which is indicative of the wide range of bodies available. The Model SS had a baptism of fire as a racing car with up to 184 kW (250 hp) when it entered and won the Bühler Höhe Hill Climb. This was just the first of many racing triumphs. A total of 111 Mercedes-Benz SS cars were built, starting in November 1928, with the model staying on the price lists until July 1935.

Technical data – Mercedes-Benz SS 27/170/225 hp, road-going versionProduction period: 1928-1933
Cylinders: in-line 6
Displacement: 7065 cubic centimetres
Power: 125 kW (170 hp), with supercharger 165 kW (225 hp)
Top speed: 190 km/h

Mercedes-Benz SSK 27/170/225 hp (W 06), 1928 – road-going version

The SSK (model series W 06) is the most exclusive and alluring of the six-cylinder supercharged sports cars belonging to the Mercedes-Benz S-Series. The model designation stands for Super Sport Short (“Super-Sport-Kurz” in German), alluding to both the car‘s particularly sporty character and its shortened wheelbase. In the summer of 1928, works driver Rudolf Caracciola won the Gabelbach, Schauinsland and Mont Ventoux races in the brand-new SSK at the first attempt. In 1930 and 1931 he won the European Hill Climb Championship at the wheel of the SSK. The lighter and yet more powerful version from 1931, which was also known as the SSKL (German abbreviation for “Super Sport Short Light”), also scored some spectacular victories. One of the most significant was its 1931 win in the legendary thousand-mile Mille Miglia race in Italy.

Technical data – Mercedes-Benz SSK 27/170/225 hp, road-going versionProduction period: 1928-1930
Cylinders: in-line 6
Displacement: 7065 cubic centimetres
Output: 125 kW (170 hp), with supercharger 165 kW (225 hp)
Top speed: 192 km/h

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL racing sports car (W 194), 1952

Mercedes-Benz re-entered the international motorsport scene after World War II in 1952 with the 300 SL racer (W 194). The car is based on an extremely light space frame that provides excellent torsional stiffness. Arching over this is are the elegant curves of the streamlined light-alloy body formed from aluminium-magnesium sheet. Because the space frame extends relatively high up the sides, the W 194 could not be equipped with conventional doors  – this is how the racing sports car got its characteristic wing-like doors, hinged at the roof. This feature, which from 1954 onwards was also adopted for the production 300 SL (W 198) sports car is the reason for the nickname given the car in the English-speaking world: the “Gullwing”. The car is powered by an M 194 125 kW (170 hp) in-line six-cylinder engine with a displacement of 2996 cc. The 300 SL was unveiled in March 1952 and was first raced at the Mille Miglia in May 1952. Many major successes were enjoyed by the W 194, including a clean sweep of the top-three at the Bern Grand Prix, spectacular one-twos at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the third Carrera Panamericana in Mexico and first place at the Nürburgring Jubilee Grand Prix.

Technical data – Mercedes-Benz 300 SL racing sports car (W 194)Period of use: 1952
Cylinders: in-line 6
Displacement: 2996 cubic centimetres
Power: 125 kW (170 hp)
Top speed: 240 km/h

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Gullwing” (W 198), 1954-1957

The 300 SL “Gullwing” had its world première at the International Motor Sport Show in New York in February 1954. This new high-performance sports car was based on the legendary 300 SL racing car (W 194) from the 1952 season. A light weight space frame with high torsional stiffness carried the engine, gearbox and axles. As with the racing version, there was nowhere to install conventional doors, meaning the gullwing doors became an unmistakeable feature on the production sports car too. The W 198 also boasted a four-stroke fuel injection petrol engine, a world-first for a production car. This not only improved efficiency, but also increased engine power to 158 kW (215 hp) – around 20 percent more than the racing car version, which relied on a carburettor. Depending on the final drive ratio used, the 300 SL could reach a top speed of 260 km/h. This made it the fastest series production car of its time and the dream sports car of the 1950s. At the Mille Miglia, John Fitch and Kurt Gesell won the Gran Turismo class for engines greater than 1600 cc. In 1956, 300 SL Coupés also joined the pack at the Mille Miglia, where the team of Fürst Metternich and Graf Einsiedel took sixth place in the large GT class.

Technical data – Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Gullwing” (W 198)Production period: 1954-1957
Cylinders: in-line 6
Displacement: 2996 cubic centimetres
Power: 158 kW (215 hp)
Top speed: up to 250 km/h

Mercedes-Benz 220 a (W 180), 1954-1956

Spring of 1954 saw the launch of Model 220, also designated 220 a (W 180) internally, the first Mercedes-Benz six-cylinder model with a unibody design. Its modern, roomy Ponton body, debuted by Mercedes-Benz half a year earlier in the form of the medium-sized Model 180, offered unheard of spaciousness and comfort. In a first for series production vehicles, the Model 220 enjoyed safer handling characteristics thanks to a single-joint swing axle. Under the leadership of Karl Kling, the Sports department specially prepared three vehicles for use at the Mille Miglia 1956. These featured a version of the twin carburettor that would be fitted to the 220‘s successor, the 220 S, taking engine power to around 85 kW (115 hp). To ensure a sporty drive, shorter, harder springs and modified shock absorbers were fitted. In addition to this, drivers changed gear via a floor shift of the type found in the 190 SL (W 121), instead of the steering wheel gearshift provided as standard.

Technical data – Mercedes-Benz 220 a (W 180) – series production versionProduction period: 1954-1956
Cylinders: in-line 6
Displacement: 2195 cubic centimetres
Power: 63 kW (85 hp)
Top speed: 150 km/h

1938 and 1939 victories for Mercedes-Benz at Tripoli Grand Prix with the W 165 “Silver Arrow”

Tripoli Grand Prix, 15 May 1938. After the triple victory for Mercedes-Benz, Hermann Lang personally receives his prize from the General Governor of Libya – Marshall Balbo.

Hermann Lang and Rudolf Caracciola outclassed the competition with a double victory in the completely new Mercedes-Benz W 165 1.5-litre racing car at the Tripoli Grand Prix on the Mellaha circuit on 7 May 1939. The triumph in Libya was particularly significant because the Italian motor sports association, who were organising the Grand Prix, had intended to impede the successful German formula racing cars by changing the rules.

Tripoli Grand Prix, May 7, 1939: Hermann Lang won the race at the wheel of the Mercedes-Benz W 165

My First Cruise-In of the Spring: Beavercreek, OH, April 24, 2014

It was windy, and while sunny, the day had started off with rain.  So it was a small number of cars last evening at the Cruise-In. In addition to Robert Shinkle's 1970 Jaguar XKE, I took photos of a mid-1950s Ford decked in Yellow and White and a Plymouth Barracuda, probably a 1966 or 1967.  It is only the beginning of the season, however, and I am excited!