Big, Fast, and Built for the Straightaway: 1929 Mercedes-Benz SSK

At 3,725 lbs., the SSK was no lightweight, but with a supercharged engine and a design by Ferdinand Porsche, it certainly wasn’t short on ambition. A formidable competitor in its day, as long as the road stayed straight! A fascinating piece of Mercedes-Benz racing history. What an absolutely spectacular car.

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Oct 31, 2026

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Replies (15)

· 1d

There are 3 or 4 real SSKs in the world? Maybe a dozen put together ones. The "K" stands for "Kurz" which is the German word for short. So it is a short chassis SS intended for racing. The further variant was the SSKL where the "L" stood for "litch" or light. The chassis was heavily drilled for weight savings. Not sure if any real ones surived.

· 1d

From one of my Mercedes books I remember reading as a kid in the '70s there are no original SSKLs left in the world. Now, there may be a few which are purported to be SSKLs but it was stipulated that they were re-created by drilling an SSK chassis. I forget the author and right now it is boxed away.

· 1d

Correction Dan. Recreated by drilling a shortened SS chassis. Nobody was gonna mess with a real SSK (one of the 3 or 4) to recreate a SSKL.

· 1d

A legit bare chassis frame of a SSK/L has been found to survive. Not sure if it has been rebuilt from yet.

· 1d

Could you find a link to that?

· 1d

SSK in action.

· 1d

https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/11095/lot/144/1929-71-litre-mercedes-benz-38250-model-ssk-short-wheelbase-two-seat-sports-tourer-chassis-no-36045-engine-no-76110/

· 1d

There is only around 10 legit cars in existence. I wrote a report on them.

· 1d

The Ex-Bahre boattail racer, car is now green. History of the car is shady but probably real.

· 1d

Here’s one of my favorite clips of any prewar Mercedes.

· 1d

Auto-generated subtitles say music, hard to disagree

· 1d

That whine under acceleration is the blower. Only engaged with the pedal on the floor. A 500K with the blower engaging. Not quite the same sound as an SS but the setup was the same.

YouTube ↗

· 21h

That is a great video!

· 21h

I assume you mean the one Chris posted? If you read the comments on the one I posted you see a bunch of Europeans explaining what idiots Americans are trying to drive their cars. I can't disagree.

· 21h

When I think of the SSK it reminds me of the Excalibur from the 60s and 70s.