In the annals of automotive history, few vehicles capture the imagination quite like the Mercedes-Benz T80. Conceived in the late 1930s, this six-wheeled behemoth was engineered for one purpose: to shatter the world land speed record. Spearheaded by German auto racer Hans Stuck, the ambitious project aimed to not only claim the record but also showcase German technological prowess on a global stage. Initially targeting a speed of 342 mph (550 km/h), the goal for the Mercedes T80 Top Speed was progressively raised to an astonishing 373 mph (600 km/h) as development neared completion in 1939. This article delves into the fascinating story of the Mercedes-Benz T80, exploring its groundbreaking design, powerful engine, and ultimately, its unfulfilled destiny.
The genesis of the T80 project stemmed from Hans Stuck’s ambition to secure the world land speed record for Germany. In 1937, Stuck successfully convinced Wilhelm Kissel, Chairman of Daimler-Benz AG, to undertake the monumental task of developing and constructing the record-breaking vehicle. Dr. Ferdinand Porsche, renowned automotive engineer, was enlisted to design the car. The project also garnered the support of Adolf Hitler, who recognized the propaganda value of a German land speed record, further fueling the project’s momentum and resources.
Officially designated the Mercedes-Benz T80 or Type 80, the vehicle was a marvel of engineering ambition. Porsche’s initial speed target of 342 mph (550 km/h) was based on utilizing a 2,000 hp (1,490 kW) engine. However, as rival record attempts pushed the boundaries of speed, the T80’s target was revised upwards. Engineers sought to extract more power, culminating in a final target speed of 373 mph (600 km/h) after a 3.7-mile (6 km) acceleration run.
The development of the T80 was a significant financial undertaking, costing 600,000 Reichsmarks, equivalent to approximately $4 million USD today. Aerodynamics expert Josef Mikcl played a crucial role in shaping the car’s streamlined body, which was meticulously crafted by aircraft manufacturer Heinkel Flugzeugwerke. The T80 incorporated a Porsche-designed enclosed cockpit, a low-sloping hood, and elegantly rounded fenders. Elongated tail fins encased the rear wheels, enhancing stability at high velocities. Two small wings positioned mid-car generated downforce, further ensuring directional control. This meticulously sculpted, twin-tailed body achieved an exceptionally low drag coefficient of 0.18, a remarkable feat even by contemporary aerodynamic standards.
Powering the Mercedes-Benz T80 was a colossal 2,717 cu in (44.5 L) Daimler-Benz DB 603 inverted V-12 aircraft engine. This engine, a prototype DB 603 V3, was procured through Ernst Udet, then director of Germany’s Aircraft Procurement and Supply. The supercharged DB 603 engine, equipped with mechanical fuel injection, was specifically tuned to deliver a staggering 3,000 hp (2,240 kW). It ran on a bespoke high-performance fuel mixture and employed MW (methanol-water) injection for charge cooling and detonation suppression.
The immense power generated by the DB 603 engine was transmitted to the four rear drive wheels via a hydraulic torque converter and a single-speed final drive. To manage wheelspin at extreme speeds, the T80 featured a mechanical “anti-spin control” system. Sensors on both front and rear wheels detected wheel rotation speed. If the rear wheels began to outpace the front wheels, the system automatically reduced engine fuel supply, maintaining crucial traction.
In terms of dimensions, the T80 was a substantial machine, measuring 26 ft 8 in (8.128 m) in length and 4 ft 1 in (1.245 m) in height. The body width was 5 ft 9 in (1.753 m), extending to 10 ft 6 in (3.20 m) with the inclusion of the wings. All six wheels were 7 in x 32 in, with a track width of 4 ft 3 in (1.295 m). The vehicle’s weight was approximately 6,390 lb (2,900 kg).
Adolf Hitler himself bestowed the unofficial nickname “Schwarzer Vogel” (Black Bird) upon the T80. The vehicle was intended to be painted in German national colors, complete with the German Eagle and Swastika, further emphasizing its propaganda role. Hans Stuck was slated to pilot the T80 on a specially prepared section of the Dessau Autobahn, a stretch 82 ft (25 m) wide and 6.2 mi (10 km) long with a paved median. The record attempt was scheduled for January 1940, poised to be the first absolute land speed record attempt conducted in Germany.
Tragically, the outbreak of World War II in September 1939 brought the T80 project to an abrupt halt. The final touches on the vehicle were never completed, and it never ran under its own power. Following the cancellation of the record attempt, the T80 was placed in storage. In late February 1940, the DB 603 engine was removed, and the vehicle was relocated to Karnten, Austria, for safekeeping throughout the war. The Mercedes-Benz T80 remained largely unknown outside of Germany until its discovery by the Allied forces after World War II.
Fortunately, the T80 survived the war relatively unscathed. It was eventually moved to the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, where it remains on permanent display in the Silver Arrows – Races & Records Legend room. While the body is prominently exhibited, the chassis is stored in a museum warehouse.
On September 16, 1947, John Cobb achieved a speed of 394.19 mph (634.39 km/h) in the Railton Mobil Special, surpassing the T80’s planned Autobahn record run speed. However, upon discovering the T80, Allied forces were informed of an estimated top speed of 465 mph (750 km/h) for the German machine. Had the T80 achieved this projected top speed, its record would have remained unchallenged until 1964, when Craig Breedlove reached 468.72 mph (754.33 km/h) in the jet-powered Spirit of America. Even today, the Mercedes-Benz T80 would still hold the distinction of being the fastest piston-engined, wheel-driven vehicle ever built, a testament to its extraordinary engineering and the ambitious pursuit of unparalleled top speed.
In conclusion, the Mercedes-Benz T80 stands as a remarkable artifact of automotive history, a symbol of ambition and engineering prowess curtailed by the onset of war. While it never had the opportunity to prove its potential on the Dessau Autobahn, the T80’s projected top speed and groundbreaking design solidify its place as a legend, forever capturing the imagination of automotive enthusiasts worldwide. The quest for the Mercedes T80 top speed may have been unfulfilled, but the legacy of this extraordinary machine endures.
