Created for the Maharaja
1930 mercedes benz SS cabriolet constructed to the specifications of the Maharaja of Kashmir. Hari Singh, the last ruling Maharaja of Kashmir, was a typically extravagant client of Mercedes-Benz’s top-line model, commissioning a long-wheelbase SS Sport in 1930 to match his yacht (as one does). Because Singh was reportedly “not much of a driver,” his SS Sport went relatively underutilized during its heyday and has retained about 95 percent of its originality, with only a few details—like leatherwork—having been updated during its nearly century-long life.
Sporting a massive 7.1 liter straight 6 engine, it also had a supercharger that engaged when the pedal is floored, causing an earsplitting loud howl that caused more than a few to change their underwear. The sound has been nicknamed the “elephant,” for the trumpet-like blast of the supercharger engaging.
Also disorienting for today's drivers, the pedals are reversed with the accelerator in the center and the brake on the right......you can imagine yourself forgetting and punching the wrong one in a panic situation. No synchromesh mean grinding gears, and adding to the extremely visceral nature of the multisensory experience is a thick, round steering wheel that controls the front wheels without any power assistance, and brakes which require a degree of clairvoyance because they appear to have the stopping power of two wood blocks being pressed together by arthritic monkeys.
but......what a ride!
Created for the Maharaja
1930 mercedes benz SS cabriolet constructed to the specifications of the Maharaja of Kashmir. Hari Singh, the last ruling Maharaja of Kashmir, was a typically extravagant client of Mercedes-Benz’s top-line model, commissioning a long-wheelbase SS Sport in 1930 to match his yacht (as one does). Because Singh was reportedly “not much of a driver,” his SS Sport went relatively underutilized during its heyday and has retained about 95 percent of its originality, with only a few details—like leatherwork—having been updated during its nearly century-long life.
Sporting a massive 7.1 liter straight 6 engine, it also had a supercharger that engaged when the pedal is floored, causing an earsplitting loud howl that caused more than a few to change their underwear. The sound has been nicknamed the “elephant,” for the trumpet-like blast of the supercharger engaging.
Also disorienting for today's drivers, the pedals are reversed with the accelerator in the center and the brake on the right......you can imagine yourself forgetting and punching the wrong one in a panic situation. No synchromesh mean grinding gears, and adding to the extremely visceral nature of the multisensory experience is a thick, round steering wheel that controls the front wheels without any power assistance, and brakes which require a degree of clairvoyance because they appear to have the stopping power of two wood blocks being pressed together by arthritic monkeys.
but......what a ride!