A triptych Daimler (Part 2)

In the previous part we described the three manifestations of the Daimler brand. The story of the original German version is of course well known, but there are aspects that we want to highlight in the following account.

In the late nineteen twenties Daimler and Benz decided to join forces. This did not seem an obvious combination. The two companies were quite far apart. Mercedes built the classic, large automobiles that were already characteristic of German solidity. Benz built more experimental cars such as, for example, the Benz for the Prinz Heinrichfahrt in 1910 which was progressive in its design and very advanced in terms of its engine. In the nineteen twenties Benz was also the first to build a Grand Prix car with the engine in the rear, the so called Tropfenwagen

The final merger took place in 1926, and the first car built by Mercedes-Benz was the model K. In the Louwman Museum there is an example of this model on display, fitted with a body by the French coachbuilder Saoutchik.

The engine of this car, a 6.9 liter six cylinder equipped with a supercharger, was developed by Ferdinand Porsche. This engine would also serve as the basis for the powertrain of later models, including the legendary SSK.

The new partnership flourished and built cars in the mid range and higher segments. The brand's image was strengthened by successes in racing, with the clear highlight being the Silver Arrows from the second half of the 1930s. During that period, Mercedes made a side step. In response to the Nazi regime's wish to create a car for the people, the 170H model was developed, a compact four seater with a rear mounted engine.

Opponent in this "Wettbewerb" was Ferdinand Porsche, who had established himself as an independent designer after leaving Daimler Benz. Porsche's "Volkswagen" ultimately won, but it was only put into true mass production after the Second World War.

After the War, times were difficult for the automobile industry and for German manufacturers in particular. The Allies had imposed restrictions on what could and could not be produced. This of course also applied to Mercedes-Benz, which during the war had made a major contribution by manufacturing, among other things, aircraft engines.

Once the restrictions had been lifted, the pre war Silberpfeile were tried out in races in South America. Work was also going on behind the scenes on a return to Formula 1 and long distance racing.

What is remarkable is that during that period only a small number of brands in Germany were active in motorsport. Of course, the consequences of the War had by no means disappeared, but it took a relatively long time before other German brands could compete with their European rivals. It was above all the products of the descendants of a former Daimler Benz employee, Ferdinand Porsche, that attracted attention.

After the brief and extremely successful period in the early 1950s, the rise of Mercedes-Benz came to an abrupt end due to the disastrous accident at Le Mans in 1955. Mercedes-Benz withdrew completely from motorsport and subsequently focused on the production of passenger cars.

Looking back, this seems to have been a good strategy. Mercedes sports cars were already legendary during their production run. New racing models did not need to be built to keep the myth alive. An important reason to return to motorsport was the progress being made by Porsche and BMW. These brands, especially the former, focused on the sporty driver and were very successful with their cars equipped with smaller engines, something Mercedes stayed well away from.

This changed with the arrival in 1980 of the Mercedes 190 E 2.3-16, equipped with a 2.3 liter engine developed by the English company Cosworth.

These cars were particularly well suited for taking part in races, and that is exactly what happened. Mercedes-Benz quickly took a leading role in the DTM, a position it still holds today. Participation in endurance races also took place, as it were, through a back door. This was done via the Swiss racing car manufacturer Sauber. Mercedes-Benz supplied the engines that would ultimately earn Sauber the world championship. The C 8 model shown in the Louwman Museum was the first Sauber model equipped with a Mercedes engine. Later, it was again through Sauber that the return of Mercedes-Benz to Formula 1 was heralded.

The circuits in America were also conquered by supplying engines to competitors in races including the Indianapolis 500.

The earlier successes in the Grands Prix and Formula 1, with their associated technological challenges, ultimately provided the reason to return to the highest level. The results of this comeback are just as we have come to expect from the brand over the years: overwhelming. As the French say, "l'histoire se repete."

In sporting terms, things have gone and still go very well for Mercedes. The production of passenger cars and, not to forget, trucks has also developed successfully over the years. What is remarkable, however, is that there seems to be a curse on the production of small cars. The adventure with the Smart is said to have cost a great deal of money. The launch of the so called A class also did not go smoothly. The moose test inextricably linked to this car was, to put it mildly, a false start. Nevertheless, the original merger has still proven successful even after 90 years.

Of course, the current environmental factors are not comparable to the late 1920s. In the early days there were only a few smaller companies making cars that could compete with Mercedes. Today, giants like BMW and Audi, as well as a number of other brands outside Germany, compete with Mercedes-Benz.

It is also remarkable that Ferdinand Porsche, who was initially a valued employee of the merged company, ultimately helped found one of Mercedes biggest competitors, the Volkswagen group, of which both Audi and Porsche are part.

Peter Helbach