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Mercedes-Benz Stromlinienwagen

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Mercedes-Benz Stromlinienwagen
CategoryGrand Prix
ConstructorMercedes-Benz
Designer(s)Max Sailer
Albert Heess
Max Wagner
Rudolf Uhlenhaut
PredecessorMercedes-Benz W125
SuccessorMercedes-Benz W154
Technical specifications
ChassisTubular frame
Suspension (front)Independent suspension with wishbones, coil springs, hydraulic shock absorbers
Suspension (rear)De Dion axle, torsion bars, hydraulic shock absorbers
EngineMercedes-Benz M125/ATM 5.6-litre Straight-8/V-12 supercharged FR
TransmissionMercedes-Benz 4-speed synchronized manual
FuelMethanol/benzole blend
Competition history
Notable entrantsDaimler-Benz AG
Notable driversManfred von Brauchitsch
Rudolf Caracciola
Hermann Lang
Richard Seaman
Debut1937 AVUS Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF/Laps
1101
Drivers' Championships0

The Mercedes-Benz Stromlinienwagen was a Formula Libre race car designed by Mercedes-Benz for the 1937 AVUS Grand Prix.[1]

History

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The AVUS Grand Prix was an event contested on the AVUS circuit/motorway, consisting of two long straights and two bends. This race was run under Formula Libre regulations, namely, no weight or power limit for the engine.[2]

In order to obtain the best possible results and take advantage of the long straights, Mercedes rebodied three of its cars according to the "Streamline" style. Three chassis were selected for this modification. The first, entered in the race under number 35 and entrusted to Rudolf Caracciola was a W125 equipped with its original M125 engine. The second, entered in the race under number 36 and entrusted to Manfred von Brauchitsch was a W25K in which a 736 hp DAB engine had been installed. The last, entered in the race under number 37 and entrusted to Hermann Lang was a W25 equipped with an M125 engine. Two other cars completed the Mercedes armada: number 38 was a W125 in original configuration entered in the hands of Richard Seaman and number 39, a W25 equipped with a DAB engine, entrusted to Goffredo Zehender.[3]

Hermann Lang won the race with the W25-M125.

Manfred von Brauchitsch in a Mercedes-Benz Stromlinienwagen on the Avus North Loop in 1937

References

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  1. ^ "Epic Restoration – 1938 Mercedes 540K Stromlinienwagen". Classic Cars.
  2. ^ "The history of the Mercedes-Benz 540 K Streamliner". marsMediaSite.
  3. ^ "CARS (PART 9) Mercedes-Benz". www.kolumbus.fi.