Mercedes Simplex

The Mercedes Simplex was an automobile produced from 1902 to 1909 by the Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft (DMG, Daimler Motor Society, a predecessor of Daimler-Benz and Daimler-Chrysler). It continued the use of the Mercedes name as the brand of DMG, rather than Daimler.

The Mercedes Simplex was designed by Wilhelm Maybach in Stuttgart, Germany. It featured powerful engines whose power ranged from 40 to 60 hp. Its large and wide body had a low center of gravity. A highlight of the Simplex family was the model 60 hp. With this car Mercedes laid the foundation of a new car segment, the super-luxury class with an imposing touring Saloon body, it was unlike anything else at the time and quickly established itself well with royalty and aristocrats.[1] Its immense size and luxuries were to set the milestones for the development of this segment, which was continued on by numerous models over the next 70 odd years, including the 630, 770 "Großer Mercedes", 300 "Adenauer" and terminating in 1981 with the demise of the 600 "Großer Mercedes". All these models occupied the absolute top segment in the automotive world, along with brands such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Cadillac and other demised luxury car manufacturers.

History

DMG, Maybach and Jellinek

The creation of the previous model, the Mercedes 35hp, predecessor of the Simplex, was due to DMG's industrial might, the know-how of its industrial designer Wilhelm Maybach and Emil Jellinek's enthusiasm for motorsport. Jellinek was DMG's foreign agent based on the French Riviera where he was the Austro-Hungarian consul. That car had resulted in the company's early success.

In 1902, Maybach decided to incorporate a series of modifications to the Simplex, anticipating a large number of sales. To suit their basically high society clients, the new Mercedes would be shown publicly "while driving through the most traditional avenues in town or to picnic in a park".

Mercedes Simplex as a racecar (1902)

When Jellinek received his first Simplex on 1 March 1902 at Nice, he rushed to incorporate it into his Mercedes race team, competing in the Nice-La Turbie hillclimbing race. He defeated all his opponents again and set new records.

On 7 April 1902, during Nice week, Albert Lemaître finished second in the Nice – La Turbie mountain race driving a Mercedes Simplex. He was competing in the category for racing cars weighing more than 1000 kg.[3]

Also in 1902, in the United States, a Mercedes Simplex won the 5-mile track race at Grosse Pointe, Detroit.

In this 1902 campaign, the third step involved William K. Vanderbilt Jr, a US multimillionaire and race car enthusiast who created in 1904 the American Vanderbilt Cup. He had already set several records with the previous Mercedes, in some of the most popular races around the turn of the century, usually long distance ones.

Now, with the Mercedes Simplex, Vanderbilt took part in the 600-mile race to Paris. Later, he broke all records in the Ablis to Chartres race with flying start, with a top-speed of 111.8 km/h. One of his Simplex units is the oldest surviving Mercedes car.

The German Emperor was a Simplex fan

Mercedes-Simplex's prowesses were resonating all around the world. More than ever DMG obtained clients among the most important social figures.

Meeting Maybach personally at Berlin's automobile exhibition of 1903 Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany expressed his admiration for the car. Congratulating him for all the achievements at the races, he contrasted these with car's name, commenting: "A truly beautiful engine you have here! But it's not as simple as that, you know."

manufacturer	Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft
production	1902–1909
predecessor	Mercedes 35hp
transmission	4-forward/1-reverse
engine	5315 cc/9236 cc (1902 to 1909) in-line 4 41.7 hp at 1050 rpm (1902)
class	Sportwagen Oberklasse
weight	1250/1400 kg (1902–1909)
wheelbase	3540 mm

The name

History

DMG, Maybach and Jellinek

Mercedes Simplex as a racecar (1902)

The German Emperor was a Simplex fan

1902–1909: Remarkable races

Simplex models

Dimensions

Axles

Drive system

Engine

Surviving cars

See also

External links

References