<< Prev Page 3 of 3 Apart from some demonstrations and further testing, the W165s were not seen again in 1939. However development continued as it looked likely that the 1.5 litre formula could be adopted for Grand Prix racing in the very near future. The third chassis was completed and it appears a fourth car was also built. Special streamlined bodies were also constructed with an eye on both the 1940 Tripoli Grand Prix and the various 1.5 litre World Records held at the time by MG. The engines were fitted with a two-stage Supercharger system that lifted the power to 278 bhp and also improved the low end performance. All this preparation work came to nothing as the German government tragically decided to drive their, altogether more violent point, home.
At least two examples, presumed to be both Tripoli cars, survived the War at the Mercedes-Benz representative in Zurich. They were held by the Swiss government until 1950. By this time 1.5 litre had indeed become the displacement limit for Grands Prix, which are part of the newly created Formula 1 World Championship. The W165's rivals of old, Maserati and Alfa Romeo, were still running strong and a return to Grand Prix racing by Mercedes-Benz was the subject of heavy speculation. Eventually, in the summer of 1951, the green light was given to build a further five W165s. It proved to be too late as for 1952 the regulations were heavily revised, rendering all 'Voiturette' style racing cars obsolete. In the end the W165 raced just once but can still be considered one of the old time great single seater racers as the final development of the pre-War 'Silver Arrows.'
The two surviving Tripoli racers were retained by Mercedes-Benz and lingered in the company's massive collection until 1995. Upon receiving an invitation from Lord March for that year's Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Tripoli winning car was carefully reconditioned. It missed most of its bodywork, which was carefully recreated by Joachim Ohlinger. The fruits of the labour came in June that year when the beautifully prepared W165 was piloted up the hill first by the then Mercedes Museum director and later by racing legend John Surtees and McLaren principle Ron Dennis. It was the first time in over fifty years that the car had been driven in public. Since then, it has only made very few public appearances. The ex-Caracciola car is on permanent display in the new Museum. << Prev Page 3 of 3
Apart from some demonstrations and further testing, the W165s were not seen again in 1939. However development continued as it looked likely that the 1.5 litre formula could be adopted for Grand Prix racing in the very near future. The third chassis was completed and it appears a fourth car was also built. Special streamlined bodies were also constructed with an eye on both the 1940 Tripoli Grand Prix and the various 1.5 litre World Records held at the time by MG. The engines were fitted with a two-stage Supercharger system that lifted the power to 278 bhp and also improved the low end performance. All this preparation work came to nothing as the German government tragically decided to drive their, altogether more violent point, home.