CMC 1/18 Mercedes-Benz SSKL, White Elephant and 10 similar items

After extensive and time-consuming research, CMC is able to uncover many details that are important in presenting the original look of the 1931 Mille Miglia victor. All these details are incorporated into the precision model that CMC is offering to you. This all-metal model is composed of 1,885 parts. Technical data of the CMC model: Model:Precision model hand-assembled Manufacturer:CMC GmbH, Classic Model Cars, Germany Scale:1:18 Item-No.:M-055 Parts:1.885 Limited Edition:--- Model details: Hand-mounted metal precision model of 1885 parts Authentically replicated and precisely scale car body True-to-the-original replicated of the light-weight steel frame with original bore hole pattern Metal cooler grill with rock-protection Double-leaf engine hood that opens from the right and left sides and is secured by a leather belt Functional hingers of the engine hood coiled with prings Vivacious miniaturisation of the 6-cylinder-inline engine with all aggregates, pipelines and cabeling Right-sided exhaust pipes made of flexible metal-hoses Masterly-crafted spoke wheels with aluminium-rims and stainless-steel spokes wired by hand Knock-off screws that enable the removal and fastening of wheels Removable spare wheels fastened by a toggle screw behind the cookpit Functional and authentically-replicated multi-layer metal compound spring on the front and rear axels Filler-neck with removable tank top made of stainless steel Steering wheel covered with genuine leather Both levers on the steering wheel (hand-accelerating an ignition timing) are movable True-to-the-original presentation of the cockpit, including both seats covered with leather and a nicely replicated dashboard with all instruments and control gadgets Movable windscreen for driver and co-driver Finned brake drums, created like the original with a fuel reserve can and a tool-box made of wood with a movable cover (mini tools inside) Folded top-cover wrapped up in a leather case and fixed by several leather-belts (not movable) Starting number 87 printed by the tampon printing method on the white painted car-body Description of the original vehicle:By 1931 Alfa Romeo and Bugatti had become serious opponents for Mercedes-Benz on the race track. Professor Ferdinand Porsche, head of Mercedes-Benz’s racing car development, responded by reducing the weight of the SSK, known as “White Elephant“ because of its mighty appearance, overwhelming power and white painting. Over 125 kg were shed after holes were drilled in the frame and every other possible place that was not safety-relevant. As a result, the SSK transformed into the SSKL (Super Sport Kurz Leicht = Super Sport Short Light). With this new racing car, Afred Neubauer (head of the racing department) and his very small crew, undertook their greatest racing adventure ever at the Mille Miglia in 1931. 11th of April, 3:20 pm: Rudolf Caracciola and his co-driver Wilhelm Sebastian started off with the number 87 against their Italian competitors. They appeared unbeatable from early on. The 1,635 km roadway stretched from Brescia to Bologna, Florenz, and Rom. Then the racers had to cross the Abruzzo region and continued along the Adriatic coast to Ancona, where they turned to headed back to Bologna, Ferrara, Treviso, and finally Brescia. 12th of April, 7:22 am: After 16 hours, 10 minutes and 10 seconds, the victor of the Mille Miglia crossed the finish line. He set an outstanding new track record, averaging101.1 km/h. To make the sensation complete, it was the first time in the history of the Mille Miglia that the championship was won by a non-Italian driver in a car of foreign make: Rudolf Caracciola, the titan of the steering wheel in a Mercedes-Benz SSKL. It was a time when economic depression was plaguing the world. There was little support that Mercedes could have granted to its racing team. The team didn’t even had enough men for all the refuel stops. So the small crew had to take shortcuts so that they could reach the next refuel stop before Caracciola. CMC are celebrating the 75th anniversary of this terrific victory in 2006. WE SHIP WITH TRACKING NUMBER