1906 Mercedes 120HP Rennwagen

The 120 hp Mercedes racing car of 1906 was fitted with the first six-cylinder car engine which Maybach ever designed. Maybach had reluctantly set to work on this six-cylinder design, but was finally forcedto do so by the success of the Napier racing cars. On 13 August 1906, Otto Salzer won the 5th Ardennes race in the 120 hp racing car.Maybach constructed two versions of the 120 hp six-cylinder racing car which differ mainly in their ignition systems. The two engines No. 8120and 8121 were fitted with a double plug ignition, whereas the engine No. 8122 was fitted with a make-and-break ignition. It was intended to usethese engines in the 1906 Grand Prix, but due to insufficient testing, they were replaced by four-cylinder engines. A dispute arose about theignition type – Maybach preferred the plug ignition, whereas Emil Jellinek, who ordered the engine, wanted a make-and-break ignition -, and thisdispute finally caused Maybach to leave the company. — Daimlerchrysler

In Detail

submitted by	Richard Owen
engine	M 14126, Inline-6
position	Front Longitudinal
aspiration	Natural
valvetrain	2 Valves per Cyl
displacement	11080 cc / 676.1 in³
bore	140 mm / 5.51 in
stroke	120 mm / 4.72 in
compression	5.3:1
power	93.2 kw / 125 bhp @ 1500 rpm
specific output	11.28 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	125.0 bhp per tonne
redline	1550
body / frame	Steel over Pressed-Steel Frame
driven wheels	RWD
front tires	880 x 120
rear tires	935 x 135
front brakes	None
f brake size	mm / in
rear brakes	Drums
r brake size	mm / in
steering	Worm & Nut
f suspension	Rigid Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Springs
r suspension	Rigid Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Springs
curb weight	1000 kg / 2205 lbs
wheelbase	2690 mm / 105.9 in
front track	1410 mm / 55.5 in
rear track	1410 mm / 55.5 in
length	3720 mm / 146.5 in
width	1630 mm / 64.2 in
height	1470 mm / 57.9 in
transmission	4-Speed Manual
gear ratios	:1
top speed	~150 kph / 93.2 mph