Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft
Mercedes 80 hp "Kaiserpreis" racing car

Why it matters

Built to the unusual touring-car rules of the 1907 Kaiserpreis, this was a cut-down version of the 1903 Simplex 60 hp. It could not match the Fiats in the race, but it won the Kaiserpreis class at the Semmering hill climb.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

History

The Kaiserpreis race of 14 June 1907 in the Taunus capped displacement at 8 litres with a minimum 3 m wheelbase and 1175 kg weight. DMG reduced the stroke of the 1903 Simplex 60 hp engine from 150 to 129.9 mm, giving nearly 8 litres and a measured 80 hp. Salzer finished ninth and Jenatzy fourteenth; Pöge did not reach the final.

Baron de Caters won the two-mile race at Ostend and took second places elsewhere; at 138.1 km/h in the two-kilometre event. Pöge won the Kaiserpreis class at the Semmering in September at 71.9 km/h.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   Mercedes 80 hp "Kaiserpreis" racing car, 1907 Level A Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Mercedes-Benz Public Archive (Classic M@RS)

   • four-cylinder engine reduced from 9.3 to almost exactly 8 litres
   • reduced from 9.3 to almost exactly 8 litres
   • reducing the stroke from 150 mm to 129.9 mm
   • a measured 80 hp/59 kW
   • rigid axles with semi-elliptic springs
   • wheelbase had been extended to 3050 mm

   Accessed 2026-11-12