Star Torque Issue 244 Winter 2016

Mercedes-Benz SSK (W 06, 1928)
Of the six-cylinder supercharged sports cars of the
Mercedes-Benz S-Series, the SSK (W 06) was the most
exclusive and fascinating model. The model designation
stood for Super-Sport-Kurz (Super Sport Short) and
featured a shorter wheelbase alongside its particular
sportiness.
In the summer of 1928, works driver Rudolf Caracciola
won the Gabelbach Race at the first attempt as well as
the races at Schauinsland and Mont Ventoux with the
brand-new SSK.
In 1930 and 1931, the SSK took him to victory in the
European Hill-Climb Championship. The weight-reduced
and further modified 1931 version, also known as the
SSKL (Super-Sport-Kurz-Leicht - Super Sport Short Light),
likewise achieved spectacular successes.
Among the most important of these was the victory in
the legendary thousand-mile “Mille Miglia” race. In
April 1931, Rudolf Caracciola was the first non-Italian to
win this demanding road race from Brescia to Rome and
back in an SSKL.
Technical data of the standard Mercedes-Benz SSK
Produced: 1928-1930
Cylinders: 6/in-line
Displacement: 7065 cc
Output: 125 kW (170 hp)
with supercharger 165 kW (225 hp)
Top speed: 192 km/h
Mille Miglia race result
The Women’s Cup was won by Silvia Marini and Saskia
Stoeckkelmann in a Riley 12/4 Sprite from 1936 with
the professional German drivers, Susie Wolfe and Ellen
Lohr coming third in their Mercedes-Benz 300 SL.
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