Mercedes Benz made it’s roadster SSK for a period of only four years. The German famous automobile manufacturer built these model in between 1928 and 1932. The name SSK is for Super Sport Kurz, also “Super Sport Short”, in German. This was due to the fact that it had the short wheelbase of the earlier Mercedes Benz S. SSK’s superior performance in comparison to most of the sport cars of its day, placed it in a league of extraordinary cars. They are equally coveted by its owners due to their limited numbers.
Ferdinand Porsche designed the SSK, just before leaving to form his own automobile company- “Porsche”. Beating at its heart is the 6-litre inline, single overhead camshaft, turbocharged monster belting out 200-300hp, and over 500 lb ft of torque. This monstrous engine of the SSK enabled it to touch speeds excessing 120mph( 190km/hr). One notable feature of the SSK is that the supercharger could be disengaged and vice versa using a clutch mechanism.
The SSK was a top spot grabber in many races. in 1929 it won the five hundred Miles of Argentina, the 1929 & 1930 Cordoba Grand Prix, the Argentine Grand Prix 1931, and, in the hands of legendary racing driver Rudolf Caracciola, the 1929 it grabbed the famous British Tourist Trophy race, the Irish Grand Prix in 1930, the German Grand Prix of1931 , and last but not the least the 1931 Mille Miglia.
Less than fourty SSKs were ever built originally. Almost half of them were racing cars and ended up getting damaged. Only four of them entirely original remain. The innumerous other replicas carry several parts from those salvaged in its racing days.
