The 1908 French Grand Prix in Dieppe - PART III

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE Stuttgart/Dieppe, Jul 07, 2008

The Cars

Mercedes 140 hp

The Mercedes 140 hp for the 1908 season was based on the previous year's model, but had been thoroughly revised in many details. The wheelbase was further shortened, the tire sizes were changed, and the tank shape was revised once more. The engine, an overhead valve design with twin camshafts below, overhead inlet valves and side exhaust valves, accorded with the concept developed by Wilhelm Maybach for the designs of the racing four-cylinders of the years 1903 to 1906. With a displacement of 12.8 liters the engine developed an output of 135 hp (99 kW) at 1400 rpm.

Mercedes 140 hp racecar:
Year built: 1908
Cylinders: 4 (in-line)
Displacement: 12,824 cc
Output: 135 hp (99 kW) at 1400 rpm
Top speed: 160 km/h

Benz 120 hp

The Benz 120 hp is regarded as a pioneering achievement. The four-cylinder engine designed by Louis de Groulart has overhead valves, controlled via pushrods and rocker arms by a camshaft below. With a displacement of 12.4 liters the engine develops 120 hp (88 kW) at 1400 rpm. The chassis design followed proven principles which the rival from Untert�rkheim also applied. The frame was of pressed steel sections; the side members were offset over the rear axle and not over the front axle as in a Mercedes.

Benz 120 hp racecar:
Year built: 1908
Cylinders: 4 (in-line)
Displacement: 12,076 cc
Output: 120 hp (88 kW) at 1500 rpm
Top speed: 160 km/h

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