Mercedes SSKL: Only for Those Who Are Truly Brave
Legacy M-B is powered a big motor but has rod-operated brakes, primitive suspension and experimental aerodynamics.
Few cars are historically significant to the Mercedes brand like the SSK. It was one of the models that cemented Mercedes as a world leader in automobiles. Naturally, it made sense to create a racing version and dominate race courses as well. Thus, the SSKL was born.
Jay Leno discovers that primitive technology dominates the SSKL. With guidance from Michael Kunz, manager of Mercedes Benz Classic, USA, Leno learns just how ancient the tech is on this 320-horsepower monster. Propulsion for the SSK is provided by an inline-six engine with an on-demand supercharger. SS models didn’t have the supercharger, but the SSK and SSKL models show how the “Kompressor” designation has been around Mercedes for nearly a century. Kunz points out that the supercharger works “off of a clutch on the crank. Only designed for short bursts.” Overworking that supercharger would cause problems.
“The origins of the car are a little bit earlier [than 1932],” Kuns explains. That perspective is needed for things like rod-actuated brakes. That’s right, there is no brake fluid. Rods actuate the shoes that press outward on the drums. Leno acknowledges something that was true back then and also true today. He says, “cars have always been fast, but the real sophistication is the braking and the handling.” Don’t forget, the concept of an automobile was still very much in its infancy in this era.
Aerodynamics were also in their infancy. “They call this car the ‘cucumber’ because it looks like a cucumber. It’s not necessarily pretty but it is effective,” said Kuns. Compared to a standard body SSK, this was 20 kmh faster. You’d be correct if you suspect that this is a Silver Arrow. However it’s not the infamous paint-stripped grand prix racer. This car was still silver because there was no time to paint it in the german traditional racing color of white. A radio broadcast of the race featuring the SSKL was the first to designate it as the Silver Arrow.
In terms of the way that it drives, you can suspect everything is unassisted. Leno states from behind the wheel, “you need every muscle in your body to drive it! It’s like going to the gym!” But that’s not a bad thing. Leno also says “I like the involvement with the car. The more you put in, the more you get out.” In a way, very similar to AMG‘s of today, and yet, polar opposites too.
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