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