1936 Mercedes-Benz W25 Rekordwagen

This record car, fitted with a 1935 standard W 25 chassis, was a unique custom version. This was the first time in automobile manufacturing that a chassis was faired with a fully streamlined body, including the wheels and the car underbody. In the wind tunnel of the Friedrichshafen Zeppelinwerke, the body was measured as to its aerodynamical characteristics and improved accordingly. This car paved the way to the consequent application of aerodynamics in motor-vehicle construction. It was powered by the well-tried engine MD 25 DAB, which had initially been developed for the 750 kilogram car but turned out to be too heavy for it. An engine of this type was used also in the 1937 Avus race, the fastest race in the world; that engine had an output of 756 hp. The 1936 record car had a lower engine output, only 616 hp, but this was sufficient to establish a world record. — DaimlerChrysler

In Detail

tagssilver arrow, golden era
submitted byRichard Owen
typeRecord Car
built atStuttgart, Germany
engineMD 25 DAB/1 60 Degree V12
aspirationFront Longitudinal
valvetrainDOHC, 4 Valves per Cyl
displacement5577 cc / 340.3 in³
bore82 mm / 3.23 in
stroke88 mm / 3.46 in
compression7.8:1
power459.4 kw / 616 bhp @ 5800 rpm
specific output110.45 bhp per litre
bhp/weight599.81 bhp per tonne
body / frameAluminum over Oval-Tube Frame
driven wheelsRWD
front tires7.0×22
rear tires7.0×22
front brakesLight -Alloy Drums w/Hydrualic Assist
rear brakesLight -Alloy Drums w/Hydrualic Assist
steeringWorm & Nut
f suspensionDouble Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Friction Dampers
r suspensionSwing Axle w/Transverse Leaf Springs, Friction Dampers
curb weight1027 kg / 2264 lbs
wheelbase2796 mm / 110.1 in
front track1473 mm / 58.0 in
rear track1412 mm / 55.6 in
length5360 mm / 211.0 in
width2100 mm / 82.7 in
height1250 mm / 49.2 in
transmission4-Speed Manual

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