Mercedes-Benz to show off reconstructed SSKL at Pebble Beach

Mercedes-Benz Classic reconstructed the SSKL Avus with a high level of historical authenticity.

AS MERCEDES-Benz marks “125 Years of Motorsport”, the carmaker at the upcoming Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance (August 15-18) sets out to show off one of its very special machines — a reconstructed SSKL Avus streamlined racecar from 1932.

The SSKL Avus will not only be displayed alongside top-class classic cars at the California event, but will also be driven on the road. Participating vehicles will be gathered on Portola Road in Pebble Beach on the morning of August 15. From there these will be driven to Carmel-by-the-Sea, and will head back to Pebble Beach by early afternoon.  The trip will partially follow the legendary 17 Mile Drive coastal route of Monterey.

The SSKL Avus, which will be presented in the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge, connects the era of the compressor racing sports cars of the 1920s and Mercedes-Benz’s Silver Arrows of the 1930s.

The aerodynamics pioneer Reinhard von Koenig-Fachsenfeld designed the streamlined body of the SSKL compressor racing car in 1932. That year, Manfred von Brauchitsch entered the Avus race in Berlin with this vehicle, which was unusual to spectators of the time. Von Brauchitsch won ahead of Rudolf Caracciola in an Alfa Romeo.

The SSKL demonstrates concept of aerodynamics in the 1930s.

Mercedes-Benz Classic reconstructed the SSKL Avus as the car was described in a radio report from 1932, as well as by basing it from archival records.

The victory of the Avus racecar in 1932 is one of the milestones in 125 Years of Motorsport at Mercedes-Benz. It was back then that aerodynamics was established in motorsport.

To accompany the SSKL Avus at the Pebble Beach Tour is the 1938 Mercedes-Benz 320 coupe (W142). Other models to be displayed at the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge are a 3.0-liter W154 Formula racing car from 1939, a 300 SLR racing sports car (W196 S) from 1955, a Sauber-Mercedes C 9 Group-C racing sports car from 1989 and the Penske-Mercedes PC-23 IndyCar from 1994.