Mercedes Targa Florio 1924
The car is based on
the 1923 Indianapolis car, redesigned by Ferdinand Porsche.
DMG's new chief designer Porsche had got off to an excellent start when he
prepared this car for the 1924 Targa Florio. The engine, built in 1923, was
completely done over and modified to include a number of innovations, like
filling the exhaust valves with mercury for an improved heat abstraction.
Contrary to the regulations on the colouring of racing cars according to their
nationality, this car was painted red instead of white, which was the official
German livery . Reportedly, this was meant to stop spectators at the Targa
Florio from recognizing the car as a competitor's marque and throwing stones at
it, a common practice at the time. Surely not only for this reason, the car was
victorious with Werner at the steering wheel, once more demonstrating the
capability of the supercharger.
This race also marked the DMG debut of Alfred Neubauer who was later to become
race manager. The car was used in numerous races after its debut in the Targa
Florio. For the 1924 Semmering race, Salzer fitted the Targa Florio chassis with
a 4.5 litre engine, taken from 1914 GP and additionally equipped with a
supercharger. Salzer could establish a record.
Year | 1924 | Origin | Not Available |
Make | Mercedes | Base Price | Not Available |
Model | Targa Florio | Production | Not Available |
Engine & Transmission | Body / Chassis | ||
Position | Front Longitudinal | Drive Wheels | RWD |
Configuration | M 7294, Inline-4 | Curb Weight | 921 kg / 2030 lbs |
Valvetrain | DOHC 2 Valves per Cyl | Length | 3800 mm / 149.6 in |
Displacement | 1989 cc / 121.4 cu in | Width | 1700 mm / 66.9 in |
Power | 94.0 kw / 126 bhp @ Not Available rpm | Height | 1250 mm / 49.2 in |
Torque | Not Available | Wheelbase | 2700 mm / 106.3 in |
Bore | 70 mm / 2.76 in | Front Track | 1340 mm / 52.8 in |
Stroke | 129 mm / 5.08 in | Rear Track | 1340 mm / 52.8 in |
Redline | 4500 | Steering | Worm & Nut |
HP / Liter | 63.35 bhp per litre | Body / Frame | Pressed Steel Frame |
HP / Curb Weight | 136.81 bhp per tonne | Front Brakes | Drums |
Gear Type | 4-Speed Manual | Front Brake Size | Not Available |
1st Gear Ratio | 2.42:1 | Rear Brakes | Drums |
2nd Gear Ratio | 1.30:1 | Rear Brake Size | Not Available |
3rd Gear Ratio | 1.22:1 | Front Wheels | Not Available |
4th Gear Ratio | 1.00:1 | Rear Wheels | Not Available |
5th Gear Ratio | Not Available | Front Tires | 765 x 105 |
6th Gear Ratio | Not Available | Rear Tires | 765 x 105 |
7th Gear Ratio | Not Available | Front Suspension | Not Available |
Final Drive Ratio | Not Available | Rear Suspension | Not Available |
Performance | |||
Top Speed | 120 kph / 74.6 mph | 0 - 60 mph | Not Available |
0 - ¼ mile | Not Available | 0 - 100 mph | Not Available |
Lateral Acceleration | Not Available | EPA City/Hwy | Not Available |