A Legend Is Born: The First "Mercedes"

In the early 1900s, as the automotive age dawned, Emil Jellinek, a visionary aristocrat and race car driver set his sights on commissioning a series of cars designed and built to win races. He had previously bought and raced cars built by other manufacturers, including Panhard et Levassor. Then he bought a Daimler Phoenix and experienced considerable success with it.

Jellinek decided to approach Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) with a vision for the creation of a superior racing car. For Daimler, which was struggling financially at the time, this strategic allegiance not only secured a large order, but Jellinek's racing experience and his understanding of racing technology and performance also gave them an opportunity to elevate the brand through success in racing.

Jellinek commissioned Daimler to build a total of 36 cars. Having previously raced under the pseudonym "Monsieur Mercedes" in honor of his beloved daughter, Jellinek also made it a condition that her name should grace these pioneering racing machines.

In 1901, the first "Mercedes" car, the Mercedes 35 HP, rolled out of the Daimler factory in Cannstatt, Germany. Built under Jellinek's meticulous guidance, these vehicles were a testament to cutting-edge engineering and refined aesthetics. The Mercedes cars featured advanced innovations like a pressed-steel chassis, honeycomb radiator, and a low center of gravity, setting them apart from their contemporaries and setting standards for all future cars.

Emil Jellinek's audacious vision came to fruition on March 20, 1902, as the Mercedes cars made their racing debut at the prestigious Nice Week races. Driven by fearless racers such as Henri Rougier and Marcel Renault, the Mercedes cars showcased their supremacy, clinching victory after victory in various classes. The racing world was captivated by their speed, handling, and reliability.

As the years progressed, the Mercedes racing cars continued to dominate the motorsport scene. In 1903, at the Gordon Bennett Cup, Camille Jenatzy piloted a Mercedes to victory, solidifying the brand's racing pedigree. In subsequent years, the Mercedes cars triumphed at renowned races such as the Vanderbilt Cup, the Grand Prix de l'Automobile Club de France, and the Targa Florio, among others.

Under the skillful craftsmanship of talented engineers like Wilhelm Maybach and Ferdinand Porsche, the Mercedes racing cars underwent continuous refinement. The introduction of the Mercedes 60 HP in 1903 marked a significant milestone in automotive history, pushing the boundaries of speed and performance.

The years 1904 and 1905 witnessed further racing triumphs for Mercedes. The cars achieved a remarkable one-two-three victory at the prestigious Vanderbilt Cup in 1904, asserting their dominance over formidable rivals. In 1905, at the French Grand Prix in Le Mans, Mercedes emerged triumphant yet again, solidifying their position as the epitome of automotive excellence.

The name "Mercedes" reverberated across the racing world, evoking images of elegance, power, and unrivaled performance. These racing machines had made the Mercedes name synonymous with victory and established a legacy that would endure for generations to come.

As time passed, the Mercedes brand expanded beyond the realm of racing, evolving to represent luxury, innovation, and exceptional engineering. The original "Mercedes" racing cars had paved the way for the iconic brand that is still present on our streets today.

In the annals of automotive history, the years 1901 to 1905 remain etched as the era when the first "Mercedes" cars blazed a trail of triumph, forever leaving an indelible mark on motorsport. The audacious vision of Emil Jellinek, the skilled craftsmanship of the Daimler engineers, and the remarkable drivers who piloted these machines to victory all contributed to the legend that is "Mercedes".