Tag Archives: GALPOT

Quick Transport and Transporter – Mercedes Benz Rennwagen Schnelltransporter and 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé

In 1954 the Mercedes Benz Rennabteilng returned to Grand Prix racing and equiped themselves with a special transporter that was capable of 105 mph.

Mercedes Benz, Rennwagen Schnelltransporter, 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé

Most racing car transporters at the time were woefully underpowered and would have struggled to reach 60 mph.

Mercedes Benz, Rennwagen Schnelltransporter, 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé

This is a recreation of the original Schnell Tranporter fitted with the correct type 200 hp 3 litre / 183 cui straight six motor as found in the 300 SL Gullwing Coupés.

Mercedes Benz, Rennwagen Schnelltransporter, 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé

Mounting the cab ahead of the motor meant the frontal area of the vehicle was reduced, which aided top speed.

Mercedes Benz, Rennwagen Schnelltransporter, 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé

Some of the features of the under chassis design would not look out of place on a 21st century Le Mans Prototype (LMP) racing car.

Mercedes Benz, Rennwagen Schnelltransporter, 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé

I have not seen any contemporary evidence showing that Mercedes Benz advertised the original vehicles top speed on the rear wings / fenders.

Mercedes Benz, Rennwagen Schnelltransporter, 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé

Sitting on the back of the Rennwagen Schnell Transporter at this years Goodwood Festival of Speed was a Gullwing Mercedes Benz, but this is not a regular 300 SL Gullwing.

Mercedes Benz, Rennwagen Schnelltransporter, 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé

Beneath the 300 SL Gullwing bodywork sits a 1955 300 SLR Roadster chassis complete with competition spec 3 litre fuel injected 8 cylinder motor in place of usual 300 SL six cylinder motor.

Mercedes Benz, Rennwagen Schnelltransporter, 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé

Known as the Uhlenhaut Coupé this was a vehicle devised by Rudolf Uhlenhaut as a 1956 racing prototype. However after Mercedes Benz withdrew from racing activities in Europe at the end of 1955 one of the two Uhlenhaut Coupés was fitted with a silencer the size of a suit case in order not to breach the peace and used by Rudolf as his daily driver.

Thanks for joining me on this “Quick Transport and Transporter” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a classic DeSoto. Don’t forget to come back now !

Wire Wheeled Voiturette – Bugatti Type 37A #37282

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The Bugatti Type 37 was a 1.5 litre / 91.5 cui 4 cylinder vehicle, first seen in 1926, designed to compete in races run to 1.5 litre Voiturette rules.

Bugatti Type 37A, Bugatti Trust, Prescott

Type 37’s shared a common chassis with the 8 cylinder Type 35 race cars, but were not usually fitted with the distinctive alloy wheels of the 8 cylinder model unless they were supercharged.

Bugatti Type 37A, Bugatti Trust, Prescott

The Voiturette motor could be ordered either normally aspirated which produced around 60hp or with a supercharger which increased the output to 80 or 90 hp depending on how long one needed the motor to last. The 67 supercharged cars, like #37282 seen here at the Bugatti Trust, are known as Type 37As.

Bugatti Type 37A, Bugatti Trust, Prescott

The 290 Type 37s built between 1926 and 1930 cost less than half of the amount of the Type 35, the car seen here was originally supplied to Munich Bugatti dealer Omnia Kraftfahrzeug Handels GmbH for 48,938 French Francs.

Bugatti Type 37A, Bugatti Trust, Prescott

I believe this car may have been raced in the Eifelrennen at the Nurburgring by Richard Fuchs in 1937 a race from which he retired.

Thanks for joining me on this “Wire Wheeled Voiturette” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now.

JK Car Corture – Maserati A6G 54 Frua #2114

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Like Pinin Farina bodied A6G I looked at last week today’s featured Frua bodied A6G is believed to have been shown at the Paris Salon albeit in 1955 rather than ’54.