A glamorous Super Sport and an old vessel

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This is a well-known publicity photograph, showing a Mercedes-Benz SS touring car in all its late-1920s glamour. Let’s see whether we can discover a little more about it than merely admiring the beauty of the scene.

First, the car. Developed following the merger of Daimler and Benz in 1926, these supercharged sports cars helped establish Mercedes-Benz as a leading name in both motor racing and luxury motoring. First came the S model (Sport) of 1927, powered by a mighty 6.8-litre six-cylinder engine. It was followed by the SS (Super Sport), with an enlarged 7.1-litre engine producing up to an officially quoted 200 hp – and even more in racing form – thanks to its supercharger. Highly capable on the track, the SS was also a refined grand tourer. And that is precisely the image presented here.

Marketed to owners who demanded performance, comfort and prestigious styling in equal measure, this was the car to have. All they needed were deep pockets and a desire for long-distance touring. Coachbuilt bodies were produced by firms including Saoutchik and Erdmann & Rossi, but we think it is safe to say that this particular car wears factory coachwork built at Sindelfingen.

Apart from the flag, the registration number ‘IIA-1840’ suggests that the car was registered in Berlin, or so we believe. This makes the lakes of Schlachtensee, Wannsee and Müggelsee, all close to Berlin, plausible settings for the photograph. These were popular weekend destinations for wealthy Berlin motorists and were also home to numerous excursion steamers offering day trips on the water.

And that brings us to the vessel seen here, named ‘Falke’ (‘Falcon’). We tried to discover more about it, but without success. Any of you old car guys who are into old vessels as well..?

Words: Jeroen Booij
Picture: Mercedes-Benz AG

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