89 Years Ago, Mercedes Celebrated Its Anniversary With a Speed Record
- Published on 26/10/2025 15:29
Mercedes-Benz marked its 40th anniversary in a spectacular way, setting a speed record that remains legendary.
On October 26, 1936, Mercedes-Benz celebrated its 40 years of existence with great fanfare, but not just with speeches and trophies: the German brand chose to commemorate this anniversary with a feat on wheels. On a stretch of road between Frankfurt and Darmstadt, driver Rudolf Caracciola reached an incredible speed of 372 km/h driving the W25 Rekordwagen, a car specially designed to break records.
At the time, reaching such a speed on an open road was almost an insurmountable daredevil feat. The W25 Rekordwagen was not an ordinary car: it combined a supercharged 12-cylinder engine developing more than 600 horsepower with an extremely streamlined body to minimize air resistance. Every detail had been thought out to maximize speed and safety, a true embodiment of Mercedes’ technical ingenuity.
Mercedes and the hunt for records
This record was not just an impressive number: it symbolized the brand’s ability to push technological boundaries. Mercedes-Benz thus demonstrated that performance and innovation could coexist, even at a time when the automotive industry was still in its infancy in high-speed development. The achievement inspired generations of manufacturers and drivers, paving the way for other ambitious projects, such as the T80, which aimed to surpass these speeds before the war put an end to testing.
Today, the W25 Rekordwagen remains an icon of automotive history. Restored and displayed at the Mercedes Museum in Stuttgart, it tells a story of an era where passion for speed and mechanics fused with a forward-looking vision. For visitors, simply observing this machine is a tangible reminder that innovation and courage can turn a car into a legend.
You might be interestedin this article:
More than just a record, this achievement symbolizes Mercedes-Benz’s spirit: boldness, precision, and the will to surpass what seemed impossible. Eighty-nine years later, the names Caracciola and his W25 Rekordwagen continue to resonate in the memories of automobile enthusiasts, all while celebrating its timeless legacy.
ALSO READ: 87 years ago, this Mercedes hit 432 km/h… on the highway!
This page is translated from the original post "Il y a 89 ans, Mercedes fêtait son anniversaire avec un record de vitesse" in French.
We also suggestthese articles:
Also read
