Ferdinand Porsche's supercharged short-chassis monster — the most fearsome sports car of the late 1920s.
The SSK ('Super Sport Kurz' — short) was developed by Ferdinand Porsche during his Mercedes-Benz years as a shorter-wheelbase, lighter and more powerful version of the S/SS sports tourer. Power came from a 7,065cc six-cylinder engine with a Roots-type supercharger that engaged under hard throttle, producing 200–250 bhp depending on tune. The SSK won the 1929 Tourist Trophy with Caracciola driving in heavy rain, and the related SSKL took the 1931 Mille Miglia. Production was tiny — approximately 33 cars (plus a handful of SSKLs).
Among the most charismatic and valuable pre-war sports cars ever built — Porsche-engineered, supercharger-howling and finite.
| Variant | Years | Production | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSK | 1928–1932 | 33 | Short-chassis supercharged sports car. |
| SSKL | 1931–1932 | — | Lightened racing version; very few built. |
For pre-war and vintage cars such as the Mercedes-Benz SSK, provenance is paramount. Chassis and engine number matching, period coachbuilder records, factory build sheets where available, continuous ownership documentation, original handbooks and any competition or concours history are the foundation of value. Verified original SSK identity, period race history, original Mercedes-Benz coachwork, and Daimler Classic Centre documentation.
The supercharged six is extremely stressed; the blower engages under hard throttle and rebuilding it is six-figure work. Verify a recent specialist rebuild and oil pressure under load. A pre-purchase inspection by a recognised marque specialist should include compression and leak-down testing, magneto and ignition checks, chassis straightness and frame survey, axle and steering wear assessment, brake system review (mechanical or hydraulic per period), and an extended road test on varied terrain to expose carburation, cooling and gearbox issues that only emerge under sustained running.
Pre-war coachwork is rarely truly original after a century of use. Establish whether the body is original to the chassis (period photographs, build records, coachbuilder plates), whether it has been re-bodied at any point, and the standard of any restoration. Quality of timber framing, ash health, panel beating and paint depth are all critical. Concealed structural rot, re-bodies presented as original, and 'tribute' cars built on later or unrelated chassis must be priced accordingly.
Verified original SSK chassis with continuous history; the market distinguishes sharply between original cars and later-built 'evocations' on related S or SS chassis. For vintage cars, event eligibility — Mille Miglia, Goodwood Revival, Pebble Beach, VSCC events, Le Mans Classic — can underwrite a substantial proportion of market value. Verify FIA/FIVA papers, period race history where claimed, and the car's standing with the relevant marque registry before purchase.
Regional ranges authored independently — each reflects its local market, not an FX conversion
Vintage cars require disciplined preventive maintenance: lubrication regimes, magneto service, carburettor synchronisation, brake adjustment, and timber and trim conservation. A car used regularly and serviced annually by a specialist will outlast a stored example neglected for decades.
Mercedes-Benz Classic Centre and a small number of pre-war specialists worldwide; parts are fabricated for each car as required. Confirm the availability of marque specialists, period-correct fasteners, coachwork trim, instruments and tyres before committing. A car requiring fabricated one-off parts will absorb time and cost that a similar example with active specialist support will not.
Each region quoted in its local currency — independent market readings, not FX conversions
Original SSKs almost never trade publicly. Demand is global and supply is essentially finite at 33 cars.
| Date | Auction | Car | Mileage | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-08-16 | Gooding & Co. Pebble Beach | 1929 SSK | — | Private sale Not Sold |
Among the most desirable pre-war cars ever built — Porsche provenance, supercharged engineering and tiny production.
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