The Mille Miglia, a grueling thousand-mile race across Italy, was traditionally dominated by Italian drivers in Italian cars. In 1931, Rudolf Caracciola defied expectations, securing a historic victory in a privately entered Mercedes-Benz Sskl. This remarkable triumph broke the mold and cemented the SSKL’s place in motorsport history. Driven by Caracciola and navigated by Wilhelm Sebastian, the Mercedes-Benz SSKL conquered the challenging course from Brescia to Rome and back, achieving an astonishing average speed of 101.1 kilometers per hour. Caracciola himself vividly described the Mille Miglia in his autobiography as an ordeal of “1,600km on dusty country roads, passing gorges and ravines … around horrible corkscrew bends and snake-like passages; through cities, towns and villages and again along dead-straight roads at an average of 150, 160, 170km … one night and then another day.”
The Mercedes-Benz SSKL, an acronym for Super-Sport-Kurz-Leicht (Super-Sport-Short-Light), was the ultimate iteration of Mercedes-Benz’s six-cylinder supercharged sports cars. Engineered exclusively as a two-seater racing machine, the SSKL was equipped with a formidable seven-liter, six-cylinder engine. With its compressor engaged, this powerhouse unleashed 300 brake horsepower, propelling the car to victory.
Scale guide
Celebrating this iconic victory, we present a meticulously crafted 1:8 scale model of the Mercedes-Benz SSKL, faithfully replicating the car as driven to its Mille Miglia triumph on April 12th and 13th, 1931. This exquisite model has been developed and hand-built in our workshops in close collaboration with Mercedes-Benz. We have been granted access to original finishes, materials, archive imagery, and drawings, ensuring unparalleled accuracy. Utilizing state-of-the-art digital scanning of an original SSKL, every minute detail has been perfectly captured at scale. Furthermore, both Mercedes-Benz’s engineering and design teams have rigorously scrutinized the model to guarantee complete representational fidelity.
This exceptional Mercedes-Benz SSKL model is a limited edition masterpiece, with only 99 pieces available worldwide. Each model is painstakingly hand-assembled by a dedicated team of master craftsmen, utilizing the finest quality materials. The development of this model spanned over 4500 hours, with an additional 450 hours dedicated to the construction of each individual piece. Comprising thousands of precision-engineered components, including castings, photo-etchings, and CNC machined metal elements, this model embodies the spirit of the original SSKL in breathtaking detail.
For enthusiasts unfamiliar with model scales, our 1:8 scale models, like this Mercedes-Benz SSKL, measure approximately 60 cms or 24 inches in length. This scale allows for an exceptional level of detail, making it a centerpiece for any collection. Our range includes sculpts, 1:18, 1:12, 1:8, 1:5, and 1:4 scales, with our primary focus being the 1:18 and 1:8 collections. Bespoke models are exclusively available at the larger 1:8 scale, and unique commissions can be created in even larger 1:5 or 1:4 scales. This Mercedes-Benz SSKL model at 1:8 scale offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of motorsport history, rendered with unparalleled precision and artistry.
