Rare Car Archive

Makes › Mercedes-Benz Germany › SSK (Super Sport Kurz, 710 SSK) · Rare production · 1928–1932 Ultra Rare

Mercedes-Benz
SSK (Super Sport Kurz, 710 SSK)

Short-wheelbase, lighter and lowered SS; hill-climb and race winner

Mercedes-Benz SSK (Super Sport Kurz, 710 SSK) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz SSK)
Mercedes-Benz SSK (Super Sport Kurz, 710 SSK) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz SSK)
Photo: Charles from Port Chester, New York · CC BY 2.0
33BuiltFactory reported
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
33 Built
Years
1928–1932
Engine
Supercharged inline six-cylinder · 7,065 cc / 7.1 LFactory: 7,065 cc
Power
147 kW / 200 PSFactory: 147 kW
Top speed
192 km/hFactory: 192 km/h
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Ferdinand Porsche (Model S platform on which the SSK was based)
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The SSK was the shortest, lightest and most sophisticated of the supercharged Mercedes-Benz S-series sports cars sold to customers. With Rudolf Caracciola it won hill climbs and the 1929 Tourist Trophy, and only 33 were built including the racing SSKL.

How rare is it?

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

Model rarityUltra Rare 33 · Built1,2
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Total model productionSSK built on the Model S platform (Daimler figure: 33 including SSKL) 331,2 Factory production Factory reported

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

Introduced in 1928 as a development of the S and SS, the SSK used a chassis shortened to a 2,950 mm wheelbase for better handling, on the Model S platform. Caracciola broke the course record on its debut at the Gabelbach hill climb in July 1928, won the 1929 Tourist Trophy in Ireland and became European sports car hill-climb champion in 1930. Its 7.1-litre supercharged six grew from 147 kW to 184 kW in its most developed form. Production ran from 1928 to 1932, with twenty cars built in 1929 alone; some customers ordered road-going cabriolet bodies.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard SSK (Super Sport Kurz, 710 SSK).

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeM 061Same figure on all three archive SSK pages (W 06 II, W 06 III, WS 06).
LayoutSupercharged inline six-cylinder3 Independently researched
Cylinders61Same figure on all three archive SSK pages (W 06 II, W 06 III, WS 06).
Displacement 7,065 cc / 7.1 LFactory: 7,065 cc4 Independently researched
Bore 100 mmFactory: 100 mm4 Independently researched
Stroke 150 mmFactory: 150 mm1Same figure on all three archive SSK pages (W 06 II, W 06 III, WS 06).
Compression ratio5.2:1 (W 06 II); 6.2:1 (W 06 III and WS 06)1,5,6Compression ratio depends on the archive engine version.
Valvetrain1 intake, 1 exhaust / vertical, overhead; 1 overhead camshaft; camshaft drive: vertical shaft1Same figure on all three archive SSK pages (W 06 II, W 06 III, WS 06).
Fuel system2 Mercedes-Benz updraught annular-float carburettors1Same figure on all three archive SSK pages (W 06 II, W 06 III, WS 06).
Inductionengageable Roots supercharger1
Power 147 kW / 200 PSFactory: 147 kW4 Independently researchedS2: rose from 147 kW at start of production to 184 kW in most developed form.
Power at 3,300 rpm1,5,6Quoted for the supercharged output of all three archive versions.
Torque 562 Nm / 57.3 kgmFactory: 57.3 kgm6Value for the 250 hp WS 06 version; the 200 hp W 06 II version is 45.9 mkg at 1920 rpm and the 225 hp W 06 III version 46.7 mkg at 1900 rpm. Archive states "mkg" (kilogram-metres).
Torque at 1,900 rpm6WS 06 version; W 06 II gives 1920 rpm.

Transmission & drivetrain

Gearbox4-speed manual transmission; change-speed gear1Same figure on all three archive SSK pages (W 06 II, W 06 III, WS 06).
Gears41Same figure on all three archive SSK pages (W 06 II, W 06 III, WS 06).
Gear ratiosI. 2.75; II. 1.55; III. 1.12; IV. 1.01Same figure on all three archive SSK pages (W 06 II, W 06 III, WS 06).
Final drive2.76; 2.50 or 3.091Same figure on all three archive SSK pages (W 06 II, W 06 III, WS 06).
Driven wheelsrear1Same figure on all three archive SSK pages (W 06 II, W 06 III, WS 06).

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisU-section pressed-steel frame1Same figure on all three archive SSK pages (W 06 II, W 06 III, WS 06).
Front suspensionrigid axle; semi-elliptical springs1Same figure on all three archive SSK pages (W 06 II, W 06 III, WS 06).
Rear suspensionrigid axle; underslung semi-elliptical springs1Same figure on all three archive SSK pages (W 06 II, W 06 III, WS 06).
Brakesmechanical, acting on front- and rear wheels1Same figure on all three archive SSK pages (W 06 II, W 06 III, WS 06).
Steeringworm-and-nut steering, left or right-hand1Same figure on all three archive SSK pages (W 06 II, W 06 III, WS 06).
Body constructionNot yet verified
Wheelbase 2,950 mmFactory: 2,950 mm4 Independently researched
Length 4,250 mmFactory: 4,250 mm1Same figure on all three archive SSK pages (W 06 II, W 06 III, WS 06).
Width 1,700 mmFactory: 1,700 mm1Same figure on all three archive SSK pages (W 06 II, W 06 III, WS 06).
Height 1,725 mmFactory: 1,725 mm1Same figure on all three archive SSK pages (W 06 II, W 06 III, WS 06).
Front track 1,425 mmFactory: 1,425 mm1Same figure on all three archive SSK pages (W 06 II, W 06 III, WS 06).
Rear track 1,425 mmFactory: 1,425 mm1Same figure on all three archive SSK pages (W 06 II, W 06 III, WS 06).
Kerb weight 1,700 kgFactory: 1,700 kg1Archive gross weight: 2000 kg. Same figure on all three archive SSK pages (W 06 II, W 06 III, WS 06).
Dry weight 1,400 kgFactory: 1,400 kg1Archive labels this "Chassis weigth" (bare chassis). Same figure on all three archive SSK pages (W 06 II, W 06 III, WS 06).

Performance

Maximum speed 192 km/hFactory: 192 km/h4 Independently researched
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
Fuel tankNot yet verified

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

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The SSK's 2,950 mm wheelbase is clearly shorter than the SS's 3,400 mm. On a correct car the engine block and gearbox carry stamped 'Reihenbestellnummer' order numbers matching original-type SSK components, and factory bodies came from Sindelfingen. Even well-documented cars may have had parts replaced over time (the example cited is believed to have a replacement chassis), so stamped numbers and FIA papers should be checked carefully.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    SSK 27/140/200 hp, from 1929: SSK 27/160/200 hp / W 06 II, 1928 - 1932 (Classic M@RS) Level A Mercedes-Benz Group AG (Classic M@RS, Mercedes-Benz Public Archive)
    • Units produced : a total of 33 (Type SSK and SSKL, all engine versions)
    • Engine type : M 06 (Technical data)
    • Number of cylinders / arrangement : 6 / in-line (Technical data)
    • Bore x Stroke : 100 x 150 mm (Technical data)
    • Compression ratio : 5.2
    • Number of valves / arrangement : 1 intake, 1 exhaust / vertical, overhead (Technical data)
    • Valve operation : 1 overhead camshaft (Technical data)
    • Fuel system : 2 Mercedes-Benz updraught annular-float carburettors (Technical data)
    • carburettor engine with engageable Roots supercharger (Technical data)
    • with supercharger 200 hp at 3300 rpm
    • Gearing : 4-speed manual transmission (Technical data)
    • Gear ratios : I. 2.75; II. 1.55; III. 1.12; IV. 1.0 (Technical data)
    • Final drive ratio : 2.76; 2.50 or 3.09 (Technical data)
    • Driven wheels : rear wheels (Technical data)
    • Frame design : U-section pressed-steel frame (Technical data)
    • Front-wheel suspension : rigid axle (Technical data)
    • Rear-wheel suspension : rigid axle (Technical data)
    • Brake system (foot brake) : mechanical, acting on front- and rear wheels (Technical data)
    • Steering : worm-and-nut steering, left or right-hand (Technical data)
    • Length : 4250 mm (Technical data)
    • Width : 1700 mm (Technical data)
    • Height : 1725 mm (Technical data)
    • Front / rear track : 1425 / 1425 mm (Technical data)
    • Kerb weight : 1700 kg (Technical data)
    • Chassis weigth : 1400 kg (Technical data)
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  2. 2
    RM Sotheby's Munich, lot 159 – 1929 Mercedes-Benz 710 SSK Sports/2 by Sindelfingen (chassis 36040) Level B
    • 33 SSK built on the Model S platform (Daimler figure: 33 including SSKL)
    Accessed 2026-11-11
  3. 3
    1929 Mercedes-Benz 710 SSK Sports2 by Sindelfingen Level B RM Sotheby's
    • 7.1-litre supercharged straight-six
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  4. 4
    Mercedes-Benz History: The Super Sport Short Level C eMercedesBenz
    • 6-cylinder, in-line; displacement 7065 cc
    • Wet cylinder liners allowed a 100 mm bore
    • rose from 147 kW ... to 184 kW
    • Wheelbase: 2950 mm
    • Top speed up to 192 km/h
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  5. 5
    SSK 27/170/225 hp / W 06 III, 1928 - 1930 (Classic M@RS) Level A Mercedes-Benz Group AG (Classic M@RS, Mercedes-Benz Public Archive)
    • Compression ratio : 6.2
    • with supercharger 225 hp at 3300 rpm
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  6. 6
    SSK 27/180/250 hp / WS 06, 1929 - 1930 (Classic M@RS) Level A Mercedes-Benz Group AG (Classic M@RS, Mercedes-Benz Public Archive)
    • Compression ratio : 6.2
    • with supercharger 250 hp at 3300 rpm
    • Rated torque : 57.3 mkg at 1900 rpm
    Accessed 2026-11-12

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