Tag Archives: 36/220

Blue Merc – Mercedes Benz 36/220

According to this linked German report Malcom Campbell decided to buy a Mercedes Benz 36/220, otherwise known as a 710 SS after his own Bugatti T43 caught fire leaving Rudolf Carraciola to win the 1929 Tourist Trophy aboard a 36/220 entered by EJ Knight.

Mercedes Benz 36/220, Goodwood, Festival, Of, Speed,

However to the best of my knowledge Malcolm Campbell did not take part in the 1929 TT though his T43 did retire after a pit fire from the 1928 TT which was won by Kaye Don driving a Lea Francis Hyper S.

Mercedes Benz 36/220, Goodwood, Festival, Of, Speed,
World Land Speed record breaker and racing driver Malcolm Campbell took delivery of a 36/220 in 1930 and raced it on three occasions up to 1932.

Mercedes Benz 36/220, Goodwood, Festival, Of, Speed,

His best known result with the car, which I believe was painted blue, was a 5th place finish in the 1930 Irish Grand Prix that was won by Rudolf Caracciola, who was now his team mate, in a similar car in July.

Mercedes Benz 36/220, Goodwood, Festival, Of, Speed,

One month later Malcolm finished 10th place overall and 1st in the over up to 8 litre class in the 1930 Tourist Trophy that was won by Tarzo Nuvolari driving an Alfa Romeo.

Mercedes Benz 36/220, Goodwood, Festival, Of, Speed,

Malcolm’s last known appearance in his Mercedes Benz was at the 1932 1000 mile race at Brooklands from which he and Chris Staniland retired with a broken piston.

Mercedes Benz 36/220, Goodwood, Festival, Of, Speed,

Today’s featured white car was billed at the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed as Sir Malcolm Campbell’s 1930 Mercedes Benz 710 SS Rennsport and according to the DVLA website this car was registered in the UK on the 7th of May 1931.

Mercedes Benz 36/220, Goodwood, Festival, Of, Speed,

The DVLA website also reveals that this car is no longer powered by the original supercharged 7036 cc / 429 cui, but rather one of 5128 cc / 312.9 cui capacity.

Thanks for joining me on this “Blue Merc” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a seriously futuristic Citroen. Don’t forget to come back now !

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