Amazing 1914 German Grand Prix Racer
The actual winner of the last big race before the onset of WW 1, in 1914 when this very car led the Mercedes sweep of 1-2-3 in the French Grand Prix just 1 month before the War began. To compound it's triumph, it won outright the 1915 Indianapolis 500, and having survived the war, the 8 year old veteran won the 1922 Targa Flora in Italy!
The 1914 French Grand Prix, often called the last great race, took place on July 4, less than a month before World War I began.
The race consisted of 20 laps around the challenging Lyon Circuit, which was known for hairpin corners and rapid elevation changes that truly tested an automobile’s full capabilities. A total of 37 entries representing Belgium, England, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland set off in pairs at 30 second intervals, but only 11 crossed the finish line that day.
In an amazing display of superiority, Mercedes finished one-two-three. Christian Lautenschlager took first place with his #28 Mercedes. Following close behind was Louis Wagner’s #48 Mercedes, with Otto Salzer’s #39 Mercedes coming in third.
The 4500cc 4 cylinder engine owed much to updates in airplane engines, and it ran flawlessly.
The owner of the Mercedes that won the 1914 French race, George F. Wingard of Eugene, Ore., rescued the car 30 years ago — it had once been converted to a road car — and did most of the mechanical restoration work to bring it back to its original configuration. Mr. Wingard has competed in vintage races with it, where it has topped 100 miles an hour. You will notice the seat belts, the effective crash cage with roll bar, and remember the quality of the roads of the era.......The drivers had to be more than a bit crazy!!!
Double click on the image to enlarge for details.
AS ALWAYS....COMMENTS & INVITATIONS with AWARD BANNERS will be respectfully DELETED!
Amazing 1914 German Grand Prix Racer
The actual winner of the last big race before the onset of WW 1, in 1914 when this very car led the Mercedes sweep of 1-2-3 in the French Grand Prix just 1 month before the War began. To compound it's triumph, it won outright the 1915 Indianapolis 500, and having survived the war, the 8 year old veteran won the 1922 Targa Flora in Italy!
The 1914 French Grand Prix, often called the last great race, took place on July 4, less than a month before World War I began.
The race consisted of 20 laps around the challenging Lyon Circuit, which was known for hairpin corners and rapid elevation changes that truly tested an automobile’s full capabilities. A total of 37 entries representing Belgium, England, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland set off in pairs at 30 second intervals, but only 11 crossed the finish line that day.
In an amazing display of superiority, Mercedes finished one-two-three. Christian Lautenschlager took first place with his #28 Mercedes. Following close behind was Louis Wagner’s #48 Mercedes, with Otto Salzer’s #39 Mercedes coming in third.
The 4500cc 4 cylinder engine owed much to updates in airplane engines, and it ran flawlessly.
The owner of the Mercedes that won the 1914 French race, George F. Wingard of Eugene, Ore., rescued the car 30 years ago — it had once been converted to a road car — and did most of the mechanical restoration work to bring it back to its original configuration. Mr. Wingard has competed in vintage races with it, where it has topped 100 miles an hour. You will notice the seat belts, the effective crash cage with roll bar, and remember the quality of the roads of the era.......The drivers had to be more than a bit crazy!!!
Double click on the image to enlarge for details.
AS ALWAYS....COMMENTS & INVITATIONS with AWARD BANNERS will be respectfully DELETED!