Launched in 1907, the 50 HP was Mercedes’ immediate response to the Rolls- Royce Silver Ghost of 1906, a motorcar whose reliability and durability took the motoring public by storm. Mercedes’ new 50 HP utilized a shaft-driven rear axle which enclosed all oiled components, making them less susceptible to contamination and corrosion. With its thunderous 7.25-liter T-head four-cylinder engine, it lacked two cylinders when compared to the Rolls-Royce, but more than made up for that with individual cylinder displacement and advanced chassis design. The frame utilized an X-brace structure behind the gearbox, as well as semi-elliptical rear leaf springs, while the early Ghost featured less modern, three-quarter-elliptical rear leaf springs.

Scott Isquick acquired this 50 HP in England in 1955, at the conclusion of the Silver Jubilee Rally. It was clothed in an original, open, five-passenger tourer body constructed by English coachbuilder Maythorn & Son of Biggleswade, southwest of Cambridge. Mr. Isquick shipped the Mercedes back to his home in Ohio in July of that year, then stored it in his garage to await restoration among other Edwardian motorcars, including two other high horsepower Mercedes of this period.

In March 1976, Mr. Isquick’s garage suffered a fire which damaged each of his Mercedes cars, with portions of the 50 HP needing to be rebult after the fire. Many brass accessory components were lost, and as a result, the car’s restoration included fabricating certain pieces like the radiator, and sourcing other parts such as front and rear driving lamps. In 1983, new fenders were fabricated using the originals as patterns. With the restoration completed in 1988, the grand Mercedes Tourer was shown by Mr. Isquick at the AACA National Fall Meet in Hershey, Pennsylvania, where it was awarded a First Junior. Over the next few decades, Mr. Isquick, together with his family, participated in more than 15 AAA Glidden Tours in the Mercedes.

In 2011, to celebrate 125 years of Mercedes, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® assembled multiple classes featuring the marque. Mr. Isquick’s 50 HP was awarded third in the Mercedes antique class, competing against the likes of factory Grand Prix racers. The Mercedes was further displayed at The Elegance at Hershey in Pennsylvania in 2013, an intimate concours which was held on the back lawn of The Hotel Hershey, featuring a selection of the finest automobiles from America’s top collectors.

In correspondence on file, dating to the 50 HP’s restoration, Mr. Isquick wrote that the 1911 Mercedes was “a car which I have owned since 1955 and plan to keep for many more years.” He fulfilled this plan, ultimately retaining the car for nearly 70 years until his passing. It is easy to see why Mr. Isquick was so easily captivated by the stature and build quality of this Mercedes, and it will surely leave the same impression on its next fortunate custodian.