Restoring a pre-war Mercedes-Benz just got a little easier as Daimler AG has announced that its Mercedes-Benz Classic department will reproduce original-quality spare parts for such pre-war classics as the S, SS, SSK and SSKL.
The parts are for cars produced between 1926 and 1932, an era during which Rudolf Caracciola drove an SSK to victory in the Mille Miglia, becoming the first non-Italian national to win that event.
“Classic models from the S-series are the central showpieces of many vehicle collections around the world,” Daimler noted in its news release. “The remanufactured spare parts now being produced by Mercedes-Benz Classic will help to keep them in drivable condition.”
Available already are:
• Starter motor (Part no. AQ 006 151 06 22)
• Twin distributor cap for Bosch dual ignition, made in the original material, Bakelite (Part no. AQ 06 241)
• Timing gear set for petrol pressure pump, nitrided, vertical-shaft version (Part no. AQM 06-1)
• Timing gear set for camshaft brake, nitrided, vertical-shaft version (Part no. AQM 9456)
Additional parts are in the pipeline, including starter motors for other vehicle models and a cylinder head for the 540 K (W 29).
“In tackling such projects, Mercedes-Benz Classic is able to refer to the original specifications and production documents, all of which can be found in the company’s own archives,” the news release noted. “This approach helps to reinforce the brand’s competence as a manufacturer of spare parts for pre-war classic models. The reproduced parts meet the highest quality standards in every single respect and, of course, come with the usual warranty.
“Work on the reproduction parts was undertaken in conjunction with the original suppliers or — where this was no longer possible — with selected specialist companies.”
Daimler said its “concern for authenticity” is shown, for example, in the story behind the twin distributor cap.
“This is made, as it ever was, out of the plastic material Bakelite,” the company said. “The manufacturing process is a complex one and demands considerable technical expertise, but the result is an extremely durable distributor cap with excellent insulation properties.”
Meanwhile, the starter motor combines a pre-war design with contemporary technology, “in order to satisfy present-day requirements.”
“In this particular case, the project involved a collaboration between Mercedes-Benz Classic and the original supplier, Robert Bosch GmbH. The housing corresponds to that of the original starter motor and can be secured in place in the W 06, as it ever was, by means of tensioning straps. It includes a drive motor together with an engaging relay from the current starter motor production line. The modified drive-end bearing and the freewheel transmission (drive pinion) have been completely redesigned.”
As a result, Daimler said, the motor is more powerful than the 1920s version and is “suited to wakening back to life the powerful six-cylinder engines of the legendary Mercedes-Benz W 06 model series. So enabling the characteristic sound of these high-performance sports cars to thrill all those around them once again.”
