Mercedes-Benz Classic will be in attendance at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Élégance on August 18, 2013 and will be displaying a 1910 “Prinz Heinrich” Benz that has been restored by Mercedes-Benz Classic themselves. The Prinz Heinrich is considered to be one of the first true sports cars ever made.

Benz “Prinz Heinrich car” from 1910

Also representing the long tradition of premium and luxury class vehicles at Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes Classic will also be exhibiting a 24/40 hp Benz landaulet that dates back to 1907.

The Pebble Beach Concours d’Élégance is to be held at the Pebble Beach Golf Links course in California with the classic event staged for the 18th green. The Concours d’Élégance is a weekend completely dedicated to elegant, refined, and outstanding cars. It is a place for fans, experts, and collectors of classic cars, with so much going on, a must on your calendar are the exclusive auctions that are great to watch even if you aren’t bidding.

Mercedes-Benz has enjoyed a long tradition of success at the top-class event celebrated under the hot Californian sun: since 1950, the brand’s long list of awards have included several overall victories in the “Best of Show” category as well as more than 120 class victories and special prizes. Last year too saw a Mercedes-Benz pick up the coveted title of “Best of Show” in the guise of a Mercedes-Benz Saoutchik S Type. Designed by French coachbuilder Jacques Saoutchik, the car first shipped in 1928. The S Type’s “torpedo” bodywork with low windscreen captured the hearts of the judges so much so that it was named the finest vehicle on display at the competition.

Equipped with four-valve technology, the 4-cylinder engine developed 59 kW (80 hp) from its 5.7-litre displacement

“Prinz Heinrich” Benz from 1910

This year Mercedes-Benz Classic is bringing a representative of the very early days of motor racing to the USA: a “Prinz-Heinrich” Benz dating from 1910, which Mercedes-Benz Classic has faithfully restored to the very highest standards of authenticity. More than 100 years old, the vehicle is a fascinating contemporary witness of the motor sport innovations of the early 1900s. In terms of technology, this Benz model combines everything that was, and today still is, deemed to be high-tech in the field of automotive engineering, including dual ignition and four-valve technology.

In its day, the “Prinz-Heinrich Fahrt” (Prince Heinrich Tour), named after the brother of the German Emperor, was one of the most prominent automobile races in Europe. The “Kaiserlicher Automobil-Club” (German Imperial Automobile Club) staged the event between 1908 and 1910, and only permitted four-seater production vehicles to take part – so strictly no racing cars.

Benz “Prinz Heinrich car” from 1910. Image from the “Allgemeine Automobil-Zeitung” (AAZ) magazine, No. 23, 1910.

For the 1910 Tour, which was staged between 2 and 8 June of that year and covered a total distance of 1,945 kilometres from Berlin to Bad Homburg vor der Höhe in Hesse – via Brunswick, Kassel, Nuremberg, Stuttgart, Strasbourg, and Metz – no less than ten all-new special touring cars were built. Four of them had 5.7-litre engines while the other six had engines with a displacement of 7.3 litres. All the touring cars were equipped with cardan shaft drive and featured a streamlined body with a characteristic pointed rear.

This dark green Benz special touring car with race number 38, only presented in February after being extensively restored to its original condition by Mercedes-Benz Classic, is considered to be the first true sports car by many automobile historians. It is one of only two known vehicles in the world produced by Benz for the Prince Heinrich Tour of 1910 that have survived in their original form since their first race more than 100 years ago. The vehicle from the Mercedes-Benz Classic collection finished in 11th place at the time, and then in the same year also took part in the Tsar Nicholas Tour. To this day the racing car still has the modified engine – with a displacement reduced to 5.4 litres – with which it was fitted for this race in Russia.

Technical data for the “Prinz-Heinrich” Benz

• Year of construction: 1910
• Cylinders: 4
• Displacement: 5,715 cc
• Power output: 80 hp (59 kW)
• Top speed: 126 km/h

Combining the benefits of closed and open-top driving: 24/40 hp Benz landaulet from 1906

24/40 hp Benz landaulet from 1907

The second vehicle to be presented by Mercedes-Benz Classic at Pebble Beach is a 24/40 hp Benz landaulet. This vehicle stands in the long tradition of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which dates back to the start of the 20th century. Since that time, the product line of the brands Mercedes and Benz – from 1926 Mercedes-Benz – has always comprised outstanding premium- and luxury-class models. They represent innovative, visionary automotive technology, generating the driving force for entire automotive development.

The 24/40 hp model was produced at Benz in the first decade of the last century as part of a whole series of newly developed products with 28, 35, 40 and 45 hp (21, 26, 29 and 33 kW) engines. They all featured a variety of technical features: they all had a four-cylinder engine with cylinders cast together in pairs. The laterally positioned camshaft was driven via spur gears. Two spark plugs per cylinder drew their current via magneto ignition. The four-speed transmission was operated via a sliding shift mechanism. Despite being optionally available with cardan shaft drive system, the power of the 24/40 hp model from the Mercedes-Benz Classic collection is still delivered to the rear wheels via chains.

As was usual for that period, different body variants were available – hence also a landaulet version. The driver was left to sit out in the open, with little protection, while in inclement weather the ladies and gentlemen were able to sit beneath a well-upholstered folding roof. The vehicle from the Mercedes-Benz Classic collection was originally delivered to the south of the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, where it remained in service until 1966.

Technical data for the 24/40 hp Benz landaulet

• Year of construction: 1907
• Cylinders: 4, cast together in pairs
• Displacement: 6,107 cc
• Power output: 40 hp (29 kW)
• Top speed: 80 km/h

A 1928 Mercedes-Benz Saoutchik S Type has won this year’s Best of Show title at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The car, with it’s torpedo bodywork and low windscreen was designed by French coachbuilder Jacques Saoutchik.  The fine specimen captured the hearts of the judges, who named it the finest vehicle on display at the prestigious event.

The Mercedes-Benz Classic Archives have information on the winning car to offer. It was originally ordered by Mercedes-Benz Comp. Inc., New York, for a Mr. Charles Levine, New York. On 2 August 1928, the chassis was delivered to Saoutchik in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France. The company manufactured and mounted the sports two-seater body and charged 72,327.25 French Francs (equalling 11,572.35 Reichsmark) to Daimler-Benz AG in December 1928. The exact date of delivery is not documented, but it is supposed to have happened in December 1928.

Current owners Judy and Paul Andrews of White Settlement, Texas, had the car extensively restored before presenting it to the panel of judges in Pebble Beach. Before that the vehicle had been kept in storage for around 30 years.

The Mercedes-Benz S Type – also known as the 680 S because of its 6.8-litre engine capacity – was launched in 1927 as an evolution of the Mercedes-Benz Model K super sports car. It established the legendary family of heavyweight supercharged cars that included the SS and SSK models from 1928. The cars dominated racing history over the years, but could also be bought as conventional road vehicles. All vehicles in this family had a six-cylinder in-line engine with a supercharger to increase output. Power was also boosted by the dual ignition. Each cylinder had two spark plugs, one fired by a battery ignition and the other by a high-voltage magneto ignition.

Exclusive high-performance sports car

The 6.8-litre engine of the S Type, the model on which all the others were based, produced an output of 120 bhp (88 kW) without a supercharger and 180 bhp (132 kW) with the supercharger engaged. This made the S Type one of the fastest and most sought-after sports cars of its time. Its debut public appearance at the opening race at the Nürburgring in 1927 ended with a threefold victory for Mercedes-Benz. Rudolf Caracciola drove his S Type across the finishing line in first place.

Only 146 of these exclusive high-performance sports cars were ever made, the vast majority of them sold as open-top four-seaters with a Sindelfingen body. A select few, however, such as this year’s Best in Show winner at Pebble Beach, were delivered as a chassis to have their bodywork made by the most famous coachbuilders of the era. For many years now, the Mercedes-Benz S Type has been one of the most popular collector’s cars and also one of the most valuable.

1936 Mercedes-Benz 540k Special Roadster

At a Gooding & Company auction held at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, a Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster from 1936 was sold for $11.8 million, setting records for both Mercedes-Benz automobiles and prewar cars sold at auction, though it failed to set a single-car auction price record. “Mercedes-Benz vehicles always achieve top prices at international auctions,” says Michael Bock, Head of Mercedes-Benz Classic. “And the Special Roadster is one of the most coveted cars among prominent collectors.” This particular vehicle has an fascinating history. First bought by an aristocratic Prussian family, it soon passed into the ownership of Baroness Gisela von Krieger. During the Second World War, she took the Special Roadster first to Switzerland and from there to the USA, where it remained unused in a garage for more than 40 years until her death. The car was then restored to immaculate condition.

The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in the USA is among the world’s most prestigious classic car shows. This year there was a separate class for the creations of Jacques Saoutchik. Originally from Russia, the cabinetmaker had emigrated to France and established a coachbuilding company that enjoyed widespread fame in the 1920s and 1930s. He produced many extravagant designs for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz cars have a very special place on the hallowed turf of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, winning Best of Show seven times and collecting more than 120 First in Class and Special Awards as part of a long list of successes since 1950.

Did you know …?

At the Goodwood Revival (September 14-16, 2012) Mercedes-Benz Classic will be represented by five original Silver Arrows from the 1930s – and is organising a staged race for them together with Auto Union which will be the biggest gathering of Silver Arrows for a number of decades.

Mercedes-Benz SL Roadsters will be paid tribute at this weekend’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, beginning with three 1952 W194 vehicles along with a mixture of vintage and new vehicles bearing the Mercedes Star.

The legendary SL, over the past six decades, continues to be one of most iconic vehicles among car collectors and six significant variations from the 1950’s will be displayed at the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge located on third fairway at the Lodge at Pebble Beach.  These vintage SL treasures will be placed next to the 2013 SL63 AMG, contrasting the technical innovations from sixty years ago with today’s advanced roadster that embodies the “Super Light” namesake with its new aluminum body.  In addition to honoring the SL anniversary at the Star Lounge, new and vintage SL Roadsters will lead the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance presented by Rolex on August 16, 2012.

The SL63 AMG will also be on display next to the SLS AMG Coupe and the C63 AMG Black Series – a collection of cars that represent the high performance, style and dynamic driving excitement that are core characteristics of the AMG brand.  The grouping of exclusive AMG cars signify the performance brand’s 45th anniversary and the growth of its model range, which is now larger and more diverse than ever before, and tailored to exceed the unique wishes of passionate AMG customers. In the U.S., the MY2013 range will include 17 AMG high-performance vehicles with power outputs ranging from 415hp to 621 hp. The selection of models available includes coupes, sedans, SUVs, roadsters as well as the SLS GT AMG super sports car.  Mercedes-AMG will provide exclusive test drives and display for the 2013 SL63 AMG at the Quail Motorsports Gathering on August 16th and 17th.

Those car enthusiasts imagining what the future holds for Mercedes-Benz can view the Concept Style Coupé, a 4-door coupe that is expressive and powerful in its design.  Technical highlights include striking headlamps featuring innovative indicators, a new four-cylinder turbocharged gas engine with 211 hp and 4MATIC all-wheel drive system.  Overall, the Concept Style Coupé is a rebel with its sporty breathtaking proportions and aggressive stance that are unique in many ways to give this coupé its unmistakable look.  Throughout Pebble Beach weekend, the Concept Style Coupé will be on display at the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge.

In addition to the popular auctions including RM and Gooding & Company that serve as an avenue for collectors to secure rolling gems, the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center will showcase a number of cars for sale at the Star Lounge throughout the weekend including a 1936 540K Cabriolet B.   In addition, further celebrating 60 years of the Mercedes-Benz SL, several vintage SL models are up for sale ranging from two 1955 300SL Coupes to several classics restored by the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Irvine, CA – a 1963 190SL, a 1968 280SL and a 1969 280SL. By offering customers hard to find parts or meticulous repair and restorations to the prime condition of factory standards of originality and preservation, the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center continues to be in a unique position within the auto industry.

Several significant vehicles from the Mercedes-Benz Museum collection in Stuttgart, Germany will share the field on the famed Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance 18th Fairway on Sunday, August 19, 2012, including an exquisitely restored 1930 Mercedes-Benz 27/140/200 Type SS which was originally commissioned by a Maharaja and an 1885 Daimler Reitwagen, the world’s first actual motorcycle.

Beyond the cars themselves which often steal the show, one event that rises above is the annual exclusive Mercedes-Benz gala dinner at the Beach Club, which will honor car collector Mr. Arturo Keller with its coveted Star Driver Award.  Past recipients include Jesse Alexander, Keith Crain, John Fitch, Denise McCluggage, Jochen Mass, Sir Stirling Moss and Roger Penske.

View the photo gallery below for a mixture of Best of Show, Mercedes-Benz vehicles and some of our random favorites.

Events:

• Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance
  Sun, August 19, 2012
• Pebble Beach Tour D’Elegance
  Presented By Rolex
  Thu, August 16, 201
• Pebble Beach RetroAuto
  Fri, August 17 – Sun, August 19, 2012
• Automotive Fine Arts Society (AFAS) Exhibition
  Sun, August 19, 2012

Mercedes-Benz Classic and Mercedes-Benz USA will be showing off some of their finest vehicles at the upcoming Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 21, 2011. This year’s Concours d’Elegance is marked among other things by the 125 years of the automobile anniversary. To commemorate this anniversary, a replica of the Benz Patent Motor Car of 1886 will be on display . As in past years, this years Pebble Beach Concours includes a drive and an auction, all dedicated to the most elegant, most outstanding automobiles.

Since 1950, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California, has been the preeminent showcase for automotive elegance internationally. The enthusiasm and passion of collectors from all over the world who strive to be successful here with their cars is unparalleled anywhere else in the world. Since the event was initiated, Mercedes-Benz vehicles have had a regular spot on the lawn in front of the lodge. In addition to more than 120 class victories and special prizes, vehicles from Mercedes-Benz have won the “Best of Show” award several times.

This year, during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance a number of outstanding vehicles will be presented to the international audience. The Mercedes racing car designed by Wilhelm Maybach in 1906 was one of the most advanced vehicles of its day and features forward-looking details: for instance its six-cylinder engine has overhead camshafts, overhead valves and a dual high-voltage spark plug ignition. Because of its frame design the vehicle has a very low centre of gravity.

The 200 hp Benz of 1909 was given the byname “Blitzen Benz” – Lightning Benz – because of its outstanding performance. Among other things it was the first petrol-powered automobile in the world to post speeds over 200 km/h. The vehicle shown in Pebble Beach is a faithful reproduction using an authentic engine.

Of the supercharged six-cylinder sports cars of the Mercedes-Benz S series, the SSK (W 06 series) is the most exclusive and fascinating model. The model designation stands for “Super-Sport-Kurz” (super-sport-short) and besides emphasising the car’s special sportiness also indicates its shortened wheelbase. The SSK dominated the international motorsport scene in the late 1920s and early 1930s.

Special exhibition “125 years inventor of the automobile”

In addition, Mercedes-Benz USA is organising an exhibition in its pavilion at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance to mark the “125 years inventor of the automobile” anniversary. A replica of the Benz Patent Motor Car of 1886 will be on display there, a so-called American Mercedes (1905), a Silver Arrow W 154 Grand Prix racing car (1939), a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Gullwing” (W 198, 1954), a Mercedes-Benz 220 SE (W 180, 1958) and a Mercedes-Benz 600 (W 100, 1969). The “Aesthetics 125!” sculpture created by Mercedes-Benz Design opens a window on the future of the brand. Concept car versions of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster and the next generation of the A-Class represent the more immediate future. And the F-Cell Roadster shows how Carl Benz perhaps would have built his Patent

Once each year in August, 175 of the most prized collector cars in the world roll onto what is often called the best finishing hole in golf — the famous eighteenth fairway at Pebble Beach. Tire meets turf and transformation occurs: the stage is set for one of the most competitive events in the automotive world. The occasion is the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

This year, Mercedes-Benz celebrates its super sports car heritage with eight iconic vehicles on display at the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance weekend including a privately owned 1902 Simplex that is being driven 1,500 miles to Pebble Beach and a 300SLR “Uhlenhaut Coupe” from the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. From August 12-15, 2010, the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge also showcases the entire line of E-Class vehicles, a Sony Gran Turismo 5 gaming sled, and Maybach display in addition to SLS AMG test drives and a selection of Mercedes-Benz Classic Center vehicles that are available for purchase.

Eight Super Sports Cars Span 108 Years of Mercedes-Benz History

Starting with a 1902 Mercedes Simplex, the lineup of super sports cars includes a 1929 SSK; 1952 W194 300SL; 1955 W196 300SLR “Uhlenhaut Coupe;” 1956 W198 300SL; 1970 C111-II; 2011 SLS AMG; and the 2011 SLS AMG GT3 that is expected to hit race circuits later this year.

The Mercedes Simplex, first launched in 1902, quickly became the leading high-performance vehicle of its day, competing and winning numerous hill climbs and road races. With three horsepower ranges – 20, 28, and 40 – the Simplex was enjoyed in competition and leisure. The 1902 on display at the Star Lounge is fitted with a 28 horsepower engine and is the oldest known Simplex on the road today.

Built from 1928 to 1932, the Mercedes-Benz SSK, short for Super Sport Kurz, was loud and fast. Known as the “White Elephant” for its brute force, the SSK had a commanding presence and dominated road races due to its shorter wheelbase, Roots blower, and large displacement 300 horsepower motor, which boasted an impressive top speed of 120 miles per hour.

The 1952 W194 300SL, built in just nine months, marked the debut of the SL moniker, meaning “Sport”and “Light.” While many chassis components were derived from a sedan model, its rigid tubular spaceframe forced developers to create its iconic ‘gullwing’ doors.

The 1955 300SLR “Uhlenhaut Coupe,” named after Mercedes-Benz chief engineer, Rudolf Uhlenhaut, was a closed roof version of the famous 300SLR racecar, designed to provide the most comfort for demanding long-distance races. Only two Uhlenhaut Coupes were ever built as it debuted the same year that Mercedes-Benz discontinued its racing program.

The 1956 W198 300SL is the standard production version of the 1952 W194 racecar. Insipired by the race car’s unique styling and impressive performance, the 300SL ‘Gullwing’ coupe was brought to market through the efforts of USA-based Mercedes-Benz distributor Max Hoffman who guaranteed an order of 500 units. Built from 1954 to 1957, only 1400 300SL ‘Gullwing’ coupes were produced and today are one of the most sought after collectible vehicles.

Over a period of ten years from 1969-1979, Mercedes-Benz developed multiple C111 concept and experimental vehicles representing the future of Mercedes-Benz sports cars – where comfort, luxury and performance were not mutually exclusive. The C111 vehicles were a technological tour-de-force and claimed nine speed records. Several technical and safety innovations made their deput on the C111s ranging from ABS, advanced front suspension later integrated into the S-Class, and turbo diesel engines.

The tradition of developing super-sport cars throughout Mercedes-Benz history and setting new standards along the way continues with the 2011 SLS AMG, the first supercar produced entirely by AMG. The SLS AMG is a modern super sports car with exceptional comfort and timeless style with all of the luxury and safety features expected in a Mercedes-Benz. Its aluminum space-frame body, front-mid engine and rear-mounted transaxle provides a low center of gravity and race-car-like handling. The carbon-fiber driveshaft is mated to a 563-horsepower AMG V8 engine capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds. The performance is combined with luxury designo styled interior, full COMAND system and iconic gullwing doors, ushering in a new era of supercar leadership.

Displayed alongside the US spec street version will be the 2011 SLS AMG GT3 racing version, which has been conceived as a customer sport vehicle for participation in race series based on FIA GT3 regulations. Meticulous lightweight construction and optimized chassis, brakes and aerodynamics, deliver uncompromising dynamics.

Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge

Positioned on the third fairway at Pebble Beach, the elegant Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge, a grand display distinguished by its transparent front entrance, provides a striking view of the Pebble Beach course and offers an interactive luxury experience for all ages. For those who want to continue driving a classic, the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center will have five elegant examples for purchase including: a fire engine red 1955 300SL Gullwing, a graphite grey 1956 300Sc Cabriolet with a dove grey interior, a strawberry red 1957 300SL roadster, a dark green 1966 230SL, and a moss green 1958 180D.

The Star Lounge is open to the public from 8:30 AM until 5:00 PM Thursday, August 12th through Sunday, August 15th.