To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Munich event, 23 November 2024.

• One of just 33 lighter and lowered SSK examples to be built on the Model S platform
• Known ownership history dating to 1939; joined The Aumann Collection in 1994
• Delivered new to Germany and later spent over 50 years in the United States
• A participant in historic rallies and tours with its consigning owner, notably including the Mille Miglia Storica
• Accompanied by FIA Historic Vehicle Identity paper issued in 1995

Built on a truncated version of the Mercedes-Benz Model S platform designed by Ferdinand Porsche, the SSK—the name itself also a contraction, standing for “Super Sport Kurz” or “Super Sport Short"—teamed a lighter and lowered chassis with a titanic 7.1-litre supercharged straight-six. Such a recipe, unsurprisingly, made it a formidable racer. A July 1928 competitive debut at Gabelbach Hill Climb ended with pre-war ace Rudolf Caracciola breaking the course record. That set the tone for the on-track successes that would follow.

Manufactured in 1929, chassis 36040 gained its body from the factory’s coachbuilder in Sindelfingen, just to the southwest of Mercedes-Benz’s home city of Stuttgart. It was first owned by Dr Eugen Winter in Chemitz, Germany. A successful privateer racer in his spare time, Winter campaigned the SSK in numerous hill climb, tour, and race events, sharing the grid with some of the finest talents of the day. Alongside several national-level victories, he also achieved a 5th-placed finish in the 1931 edition of the Eifelrennen behind the victorious sister SSK of Caracciola.

Dr Winter emigrated to the United States in 1933. He is believed to have been accompanied by the car, which surfaced again in 1939 under the ownership of Mr Charles Zumbach of New York City. He retained the Roadster until 1950 before it was acquired by a Connecticut-based brewery owner, with it finding a subsequent keeper in the state until 1955. Chassis 36040 then entered the long-term custodianship of Mr Edward Trager. He kept the SSK in Chicago through to 1979 before the car was bought by Mr Skip Berg of Tiburon, California. It is thought that the body was restored in 1983.

After a spell with another owner, the Mercedes-Benz joined The Aumann Collection in December 1994. Described at the time as being presented in black over red leather, 565,000 Deutsche Mark was paid. Further restoration work was commissioned the following February, with the car seen to by MTK Automobile of Großmaischeid. Please note that the chassis is believed to have been replaced. The SSK enjoying a new lease of life, it took part in the 1995 running of the Mille Miglia Storica.

Accompanied by a history file that contains period race programmes and photographs, plus numerous images documenting the restoration work and Mille Miglia Storica participation, the SSK is further complemented by FIA Historic Vehicle Identity papers issued in 1995. Featuring stamped “Reihenbestellnummer”, the engine block and gearbox are also notably original-type SSK components.

A hugely significantly model in the Mercedes-Benz story, this example of the famed and highly sought after 710 SSK boasts extensive competition history, having jostled for position with some of the finest drivers of the era. Exquisitely presented today in black over black, the Roadster is eligible for some of the most significant veteran car tours, rallies, and races on the historic calendar as well as making for a statement addition to any collection.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/mu24/.