1936 Mercedes-Benz W25 Rekordwagen

This record car, fitted with a 1935 standard W 25 chassis, was a unique custom version. This was the first time in automobile manufacturing that a chassis was faired with a fully streamlined body, including the wheels and the car underbody. In the wind tunnel of the Friedrichshafen Zeppelinwerke, the body was measured as to its aerodynamical characteristics and improved accordingly. This car paved the way to the consequent application of aerodynamics in motor-vehicle construction. It was powered by the well-tried engine MD 25 DAB, which had initially been developed for the 750 kilogram car but turned out to be too heavy for it. An engine of this type was used also in the 1937 Avus race, the fastest race in the world; that engine had an output of 756 hp. The 1936 record car had a lower engine output, only 616 hp, but this was sufficient to establish a world record. — DaimlerChrysler

In Detail

tags	silver arrow, golden era
submitted by	Richard Owen
type	Record Car
built at	Stuttgart, Germany
engine	MD 25 DAB/1 60 Degree V12
aspiration	Front Longitudinal
valvetrain	DOHC, 4 Valves per Cyl
displacement	5577 cc / 340.3 in³
bore	82 mm / 3.23 in
stroke	88 mm / 3.46 in
compression	7.8:1
power	459.4 kw / 616 bhp @ 5800 rpm
specific output	110.45 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	599.81 bhp per tonne
body / frame	Aluminum over Oval-Tube Frame
driven wheels	RWD
front tires	7.0×22
rear tires	7.0×22
front brakes	Light -Alloy Drums w/Hydrualic Assist
rear brakes	Light -Alloy Drums w/Hydrualic Assist
steering	Worm & Nut
f suspension	Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Friction Dampers
r suspension	Swing Axle w/Transverse Leaf Springs, Friction Dampers
curb weight	1027 kg / 2264 lbs
wheelbase	2796 mm / 110.1 in
front track	1473 mm / 58.0 in
rear track	1412 mm / 55.6 in
length	5360 mm / 211.0 in
width	2100 mm / 82.7 in
height	1250 mm / 49.2 in
transmission	4-Speed Manual