History Bob Burman & his "Blitzen Benz" ... PICS!!!

After reading Ryan's Auto Polo Blog this morning, I was perusing around the Library of Congress flickr photo stream ... and stumbled upon some circa 1910 photographs of Bob Burman and his "Blitzen Benz":

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Comment from flickr user ftdate: This picture appears to have been taken at Daytona Beach, Florida. Long before Daytona was associated with NASCAR it was the place to go to set land speed records. The hard-packed sand was excellent for this purpose. Actually, most racers started in Ormand Beach and drove toward the pier at Daytona. As speeds increased, it became difficult to negotiate the tight fit under the pier. Eventually those attempting land speed records turned to the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Burnam set speed records for the mile (137.83 mph) and the kilometer (138.3 mph) at Daytona on April 22, 1911. At the time, it was the fastest a human had ever traveled:

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Cool. That nose kinda reminds me of the Foose built "P32" car in a way. Or a titty. Good stuff either way.

(image from Street Rodder Magazine)

 

love the old cars
it was aero engine wasn't it?
man those things looked great sounded crazy and went just as fast as you dared go without safety or modern tires

 

I saw the 'Replica' at Pebble Beach last year....amazing car....ground shaking power....

 

Here's a few from Pebble Beach. When they got it started...wow!

 

Mostly Bedelias; one Scripps-Booth

 

Thanks for those...Mine are somewhere!

 

A 32- gotcha covered.

 

Ah ha....Looks like I was a little further down than you Erik

 

@Erik B & Dave (@A32Flathead) ... those are great shots from the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance ... thanks for sharing.

A Google images search turned up a few more pics of the replica @ Pebble ... and some of it at the 2007 Goodwood FOS ... perhaps a UK HAMBer has some pics from the later?

 

Hmmm? ... I really thought @The37Kid, @fur biscuit, @jimdillon, and/or @miller91 would have been around by now to share some info about (or more pics of) the "Blitzen Benz"

 

I guess I have not been watching the HAMB as much as I should. There were 6 of the big Benz cars (I believe) although most of us in the states are more familiar I suppose with the Blitzen Benz associated with Oldfield and Burman, before it went onto some limited match races courtesy of Harry Harkness, the money man behind the short lived Sheepshead Bay. What a great car with a colorful and successful history as a record setter and crowd gatherer. Here are a couple of pictures of the engine. I believe Bill Evans of San Diego is the man responsible for the latest examples of Blitzen.

The other shot is with a cleaner meaner Benz (Burman made some improvements allegedly) at Sheepshead racing against Ralph DePalma in the big Sunbeam 12 cylinder "Toodles V". DePalma was the victor on that day, although the Benz may have been a bit tired at the time. This is in 1916 I believe and shortly after the Sunbeam was bought by the Adams brothers and they matched race the car until the Sunbeam was destroyed in a 10 car pileup at Kalamazoo Michigan.

After Harkness filed for bankruptcy in the late teens the Benz allegedly found its way back to England after being purchased by Count Zborowski and was rebodied and continued pleasing the racing crowds. In 1923 or thereabouts the car was scrapped and Zborowski used the trans behind a Liberty V12 in his Higham special which was later to be called Babs. Of course Babs was not kind to Parry Thomas and the car was buried in the sands of Pendine in Wales. Babs has since been restored and I suppose the only thing left of the big Benz is probably the patterns and pieces of the original transmission. I remember in Hemmings an ad back in the eighties offering to sell a big Benz engine but God only knows what this particulare engine was out of.

Either way it is amazing anything of the trans was even left when you realize it had to power the 1300 cubic inch Benz powerplant before powering the 1650 cubic inch Liberty.-Jim

 

....darn Alpha Romeo owners polluting the HAMB with stories about them furrin' cars.

 

Does anyone know if this car is not claiming to be original or have any originality to it then how did it get invited to Pebble? For some reason I thought that Pebble would not allow cars that were totally replicated (that is without any portion of the car to be original), or did I dream that there is such a requirement?

Plus the LOC photos are clear little critters aren't they?-Jim

 

Jim (@jimdillon) ... I'm pretty sure you are correct ... I don't think that the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance accepts "replicas."

Below is a press release regarding the six "Lightning/Blitzen Benz" cars and the replica ... You'll note that the last paragraph explains how the replica was created ... the last sentence states: "Sections of an original body, meanwhile, were still available in the USA" ... eluding to the fact that portions of the car may be originals ???

Daimler-Chrysler Press Release
Stuttgart, Mar 24, 2006

228.1 km/h - faster than any other vehicle on land had ever been. The world record car was a 200 hp Lightning Benz piloted by Bob Burman on April 23, 1911 at Daytona Beach, Florida/USA, over one kilometer from a flying start. Over one mile from a flying start, he recorded an average speed of 225.65 km/h. These records remained unbroken until 1919. The Benz had been twice as fast as contemporary aircraft, and also surpassed the record for rail-bound means of transport (1903: 210 km/h).

The Lightning Benz had quite intentionally been built as a sports car by Benz & Cie. in 1909 - with the aim of breaking through what was a magical barrier - 200 km/h (124.26 mph) - at the time. The basis was the 150 hp engine from the Grand Prix car, but this output was not sufficient for the ambitious project. Displacement was enlarged to 21.5 liters - no other racing or record car engine from Benz & Cie., Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft or Daimler-Benz AG would ever be larger. The first version of this engine developed 184 hp at 1500/min, and in meticulous fine-tuning work, this output was eventually boosted to 200 hp at 1600/min. The car was then built around this engine, using the chassis of the Grand Prix car. In accordance with the model designation logic customary at Benz, the car was named 200 hp Benz. ​

The car proved its mettle in its very first race: in the one-kilometer race in Frankfurt/Main, Fritz Erle won at an average speed of 159.3 km/h from a flying start. The 200 hp Benz went on to tour the record tracks in good old Europe, among them the concrete oval at Brooklands/England. In the process, it pushed all the hitherto existing limits a little further, and soon proved that the race tracks in Europe were too short and too narrow for the speeds aspired to. ​

In 1910, the car was fitted with new bodywork and shipped to America. It was bought by event manager Ernie Moross and given the punchy name Lightning Benz because the car was as quick as lightning. And before very long, Barney Oldfield broke the existing world record by reaching a speed of 211.97 km/h in Daytona Beach. With a new name - "Blitzen-Benz" - the car became an attraction which toured the USA much like a traveling circus. It was at the wheel of this car that Bob Burman established the new world speed record in April 1911. ​

There were six Lightning Benz units altogether. Two of these still exist today - one is owned by Mercedes-Benz, the other one by a collector in the USA. In 2004, another brand enthusiast in the USA privately built a replica of this car, using several original parts and cooperating closely with Mercedes-Benz Classic. In this project, the Lightning Benz in the museum served to provide authentic orientation while being expertly restored and made operational again at the same time. The authentic Lightning Benz is a very special exhibit in the “Silver Arrows - Races & Records” section of the new Mercedes-Benz Museum.​

Origins:
The late nineteenth century was a unique era for technological pioneers like Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler. For many years the two engineers had been working independently on the realization of a human dream - individual mobility. Both men recognized the key to this was a compact combustion engine capable of powering a vehicle, and eventually both came up with a design for a car. Karl Benz registered his Motor Car for a patent in January 1886, and Gottlieb Daimler came along just a few weeks later with his horseless carriage.

It was an historic event not lost on Gottlieb Daimler. As a man of vision Gottlieb Daimler looked well beyond the latest technological developments, and predicted that the internal combustion engine would mobilize people “on land, on water and in the air”. ​

A few years earlier, in 1876, the gifted designer and close friend of Daimler, Wilhelm Maybach, had become acquainted with the businessman William Steinway, whose New York company manufactured pianos in the tradition of his German forefathers. During one of his visits to Germany in 1888, Steinway also got to know Gottlieb Daimler. Their conversations returned repeatedly to the same subject: the manufacture of Daimler products under license in America. Shortly after Steinway’s return to America the matter was settled. On September 29, 1888, Daimler Motor Co. was established with headquarters on Long Island, New York. Thus, Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) became the first European car producer to have a presence in the United States and the agreement additionally covered use of the Daimler licenses for the manufacture of stationary and marine engines. ​

In August 1890 the first four-cylinder Mercedes engine designed by Wilhelm Maybach was shipped to New York. The unit weighed 451 kilograms, and with a six-liter displacement delivered 12.3 hp at 390/min. Ten days later a second engine arrived, a variant developed in parallel, with a 2.4-liter displacement, weighing 153 kilograms and producing 5.9 hp at 620/min. Both versions were designed for use as marine engines. ​

In 1891, William Steinway’s Daimler Motor Co. manufactured under license America’s first fully operational vehicle engine in Hartford/Connecticut using the original plans drawn up by Gottlieb Daimler. ​

The early years were not without challenges, but in 1893 at the World Exhibition in Chicago, DMG presented the USA with its first fully operational automobile, and sales figures for the engines began to take off. A modified version of the "wire-wheeled car" was put on show. Gottlieb Daimler visited the exhibition himself during his honeymoon with his second wife Lina - the question of car production in the United States still very much in his thoughts. ​

In a newspaper interview given in 1895, William Steinway described his vision of the motorization of America: "The cars we intend to produce for the American market will carry two to four persons and will be powered by an engine of 2 ½ - 3 ½ hp. Each car will have four gears of varying speeds: 3 ½, 6, 9 and 14 miles per hour. The fuel, namely petroleum, costs approximately one cent per hp and per hour, which is considerably cheaper than horse power. ... We had a horseless car here in 1893, although it was too lightly built for our cobbles and uneven streets. We shall therefore bring out a model adapted to American circumstances." Steinway's plans all sounded very concrete. But he was to die in November 1896, and his heirs, unconvinced that the car would be a money-maker, sold their share in Daimler Motor Co. to General Electric Company. After restructuring, the American production facility changed its name in 1898 to Daimler Manufacturing Company. ​

When Gottlieb Daimler died on March 6, 1900, DMG continued in its founder’s internationalist tradition, and the idea of production in America was never far from mind. The first "American Mercedes" was finally built in 1905, an exact replica of the 45 hp Mercedes as being manufactured in Cannstatt. ​

As for Karl Benz, sought out the American market at an early stage. His first vehicles were sold in the 1890s under the names "Eclair" and "Roger". More than anything, however, the name Benz became associated with the first car race to be held on American soil on November 2, 1895. The course covered a distance of 92 miles from Chicago to Waukegan and back, but a terrible storm on race day meant that only two of the more than 80 cars registered turned up for the start, and the race was postponed. ​

Nevertheless, the two vehicles set off on the course, and one - Oscar Mueller driving a Benz - reached the finish. It was several years before Benz's next major automotive triumph, but when it came, it was with a great roll of drums. With almost no preparation, Barney Oldfield took to the wheel of the "Lightning Benz" on March 17, 1910, in search of speed records on the beach at Daytona/Florida. He set a new best mark of 211.97 km/h. ​

On April 23, 1911, it was Bob Burman's turn to exploit the full potential of the "Blitzen-Benz" at Daytona Beach, setting an average speed for the flying mile of 225.65 km/h and a new land speed record of 228.1 km/h over the flying kilometer - a mark that would stand until 1919. The "Blitzen-Benz" became a celebrated attraction as it traveled across the country and during this era laid the foundations for the excellent reputation of the Benz brand in the United States. ​

In 1926 the two companies merged to become Daimler-Benz AG and from then on conducted their US business jointly as Mercedes-Benz Company. The records of sales figures prior to the Second World War are rather sketchy, but it is thought that in total about 200 vehicles were imported. The Second World War brought commercial activities in the USA temporarily to a halt, but the brand name Mercedes-Benz was never forgotten.

The Blitzen-Benz held by the Mercedes-Benz Museum:
1935 was dominated by a major anniversary at Daimler-Benz. It had been 50 years since the company started to make automobiles and another 200-hp Benz - the car which can currently be found at the Mercedes-Benz Museum - was built from the parts still at hand as an exhibition piece for the celebrations. Some of the components were taken from the "grandmother", others - the hub locks, for example, and probably the radiator and the central section of the body - from the wreckage of Hornsted's Blitzen. In order to make the car look slightly more aerodynamic, the wood-spoke wheels were fitted with aluminum covers. Plus, the engine cover, rear section and the cover of the truncated exhaust were all newly manufactured.

Lightning strikes twice:
There were still two other 200-hp Benz cars in circulation. Madrid-based Benz dealer Treumann sold car no. 5 (engine number 9145) to Mr. J. Ratis in Barcelona and the customer received his Benz on February 20, 1913. What happened to it next is unknown.

Meanwhile, the Benz dealership in Antwerp, Belgium, sold Blitzen-Benz no. 6 to a Mr. M. Heje from Gent, who took delivery of the car on December 24, 1913, thereby setting himself a very special Christmas present. This was the only Blitzen (engine number 13280) with an extended chassis (3200 mm instead of 2800 mm) and a four-seat touring body. The latest model was also a frequent entrant in record attempts at Brooklands. The car remained in England for a long time, before being acquired by an American collector in 2002. ​

A new chapter in the history of the Blitzen-Benz:
Indeed, 2004 has seen the latest Blitzen-Benz taking shape, an American collector refusing to be intimidated by the costs involved and commissioning the construction of what is in effect the seventh 200-hp Benz. In a remarkable show of trust, the Mercedes-Benz Museum loaned him its own Blitzen-Benz for a period of a year to serve as a template for this most extraordinary of projects. Mercedes also supplied the parts from the Hornsted car still held in its stocks- including engine no. 9141 and several other essential components - in order to add as much authenticity as possible to the reproduction. Sections of an original body, meanwhile, were still available in the USA.​

... and some (circa 1909 & 1911) photos from the DaimlerChrysler archives:

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Yes ... they are very clear! ... the Library Of Congress digital images were created directly from the original 5x7 glass negatives. These glass negatives are all from the George Grantham Bain Collection.

 

Hemi 32-I wonder what parts are claimed to be original?-Jim

 

Here's a video clip of the first firing of the 1909 Blitzen Benz 21 liter engine after major restoration at Leydon Restorations in Lahaska, PA.:

NOTE: Subsequent running proved smoother after discovery and correction of a magneto malfunction​

Here's a video clip of the "Blitzen Benz" @ the 2007 Brooklands Centenary Festival:

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... and three clips of it @ the 2008 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance:

​

 

@49ratfink,

What the heck is an Alpha Romeo? .

I suppose you meant ALFA (as in Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili) ROMEO (as in founder Nicola Romeo)? ... which is now owned by the FIAT Group ... which recently acquired 20% of Chrysler.

But I digress ... this thread is in no way about a "furrin' car" ... but rather about a cool old race-car that set a land speed record (in the United States) almost 100 years ago!

Now quit worrying about O/T threads on the HAMB ... and get back to work (so you can get that '49 Chebby back on the road)

 

Special invite classes each year, non judged, last year was 'Aero & Monster Motors' Jay Leno had the Tank Car there also.

The 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance will feature Bugatti and Bentley. It will also celebrate a century of Morgan and Audi, as well as the designs of Zagato.

 

"What the heck is an Alpha Romeo? ."

sorry man... I don't speak French.

 

Hemi 32 the videos are great- i have seen some of those before and I suppose the only thing that threw me a bit is that I would hsve thought the car would have been louder. Not complaining just surprised.

As to the non judged class, I understand that but I have heard that at Amelia Island and Meadowbrook there was talk of the Blitzen Benz being driven by Barney Oldfield so I was wondering if they are claiming this is the car he drove or whether they are clarifying it as a reproduction. I believe it is proper to rebuild with what ever is left and the fact it is replicated does not bother me. When Buck Boudeman finished the Golden Sub back in the eighties there was talk of the car being driven by Barney Oldfield and some people gave him grief for his claims. I for one cut him some slack becasue I appreciated his efforts. I feel the same about this car as I am thankful Bill Evans went thru all of the work. Not many people would have spent this time and effort and we would miss out on seeing such a great piece.

I just thought that Pebble was a little stiffer on what they allowed and was not aware that they invited it as a non-judged car. If it was not judged did it receive any special recogniton that anyone is aware of?-Jim

 

I did talk to someone several year ago who knew the man who did this Blitzen Benz. Some of it is from the original car (radiator grille and other parts that I can`t remember). I`m pretty sure he said the parts were said to be from the Oldfield/Burman Benz.
The engine is one that Mercedes Benz still had and supplied(lent?) for the construction.

I haven`t seen this one in the flesh yet,but sure would love to!

So I guess it is a recreation,with some original parts.

 

Top shelf post, thanks Hemi32! Some killer cars including that 'incidental' Aston Martin in the background of A32's post. Man, I would love to have one of those.

 

They had all the Motorama Cars there last year too...I got to sit in The Futurliner

 

Today { 9th November} marks the 100 year anniversary when Victor Hemery of France set a New world speed mark of 125.94MPH {202.68KMH} in the Blitzen Benz.

Said to be faster than any plane, train or automobile at the time.

 

Hemi 32, Thanks for providing tonights history lesson. Great stuff!

 

BROOKLANDS RECORD RUN.

L.G. CUPID-HORNSTEAD.

 

Jim, HI, this is Bill Evans the owner of the Blitzen. To answer your question what is original, The engine, chassis, radiator(purchased form George Waterman Jr.) steering box/column/wheel and a whole bunch of other jiblits are real and were purchased from the factory. I made the transmission, Body wheels etc. The question comes up all the time if the car is original. I don't know how to answer the question. The engine and Chassis were the original Hornstead/skinny joe car #9141 The original Transmission is in Babs. The radiator that is suppose to be on the car is on the Factory's car in Stuttgart. They embodied the car in 1934 for the 50th anniversary of Benz. I bought the radiator off George Waterman Jr. George Sr. bought it in the early 30's and had it in his collection for over 50 years.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
The radiators from each of the cars is different and faced with the fact that I had Blitzen #1's radiator and had to make a new body anyway I chose to rebuild the car around the radiator.<o></o>
Hope this shines some light on the car and at the end of the day it is what it is. Better on the road than still a bunch of parts that last drove in 1921 when it went over the banking at Brooklands.<o></o>
Bill Evans<o></o>
619-890-2900<o></o>
wevans@evanshotels.com<o></o>
P.S. Do you have the engine of DePalmas 299 ?<o></o>
<o></o>

 

Bill, I think it is great what you have done with the car. I was just wondering what parts were original. You have more original stuff than most of the Millers (among others I suppose if the truth be told) showing up these days. Good for you. I saw back in the eighties an ad in Hemmings for an old Benz engine in Europe somewhere and often wondered about it.

I don't know if we have ever met although when I lived in San Diego county I use to occasionally go to lunch with your dad-a real good car guy.

As to DePalma's 299, they built 2 and I believe mine (engine #1) to be the engine he ran in 1919. He had both transmissions and probably had access to both engines (maybe #2 for some record runs). Engine #2 went to Europe and raced against (and beat Enzo Ferrari in his Alfa and every other car on that date-11/14/20 at Gallarate) and disappeared back in the twenties.-Jim

 

Hello Guys my name happens to be Ryan Burman and I have been trying to figure out if I am related to this man any ideas on how? I'm 18 don't have a credit card so all those are out of the question and I wouldn't use them anyways. Any help would be appreciated.