<< Prev Page 2 of 2 Dubbed the 680 S, for Sport, the new Mercedes-Benz debuted at the June 1927 opening race at the Nürburgring. Fitted with a simple four-seater body and a high compression / high boost engine, the 680 S proved a race winner straight out of the box, winning the first ever race at the now legendary circuit as well as the German Grand Prix soon after. The new Mercedes-Benz not only impressed with its undeniable pace but also stood out from the rest of the field thanks to the glorious whine produced once the supercharger was engaged.
Soon after its victorious debut, the 680 S entered series production. It was available with factory or 'Sindelfingen' coachwork or as a rolling chassis ready to receive the custom body of the client's choice. Thanks to the relatively low chassis, the new Mercedes-Benz was a popular subject for the time's finest designers like Jacques Saoutchik. Even with the 'standard' coachwork, the 680 S was a striking machine in part due to the remarkably long engine cover.
By the end of 1928, Mercedes-Benz had produced close to 150 examples of the 680 S. At that time it was replaced by the slightly larger engined 710 ss. Further derivatives include the ssK and ssKL competition cars, which used a shorter chassis. Known as the 'White Elephants', the supercharged range that kicked off with the 680 S ranks among the finest and most desirable produced by Mercedes-Benz. << Prev Page 2 of 2