1929 Mercedes-Benz SS (710 Super Sport) with Corsica Coachworks roadster body
- Engine
- 7.1L supercharged straight-six, up to 300 PS with supercharger engaged
- Colour
- Black (period); later repainted white

A Mercedes-Benz SS (chassis 36036), one of 111 built at Untertürkheim, delivered in October 1929 with an original Martin Walter body subsequently replaced by a bespoke Corsica Coachworks roadster body after accident damage. Its first owner is believed to have been racing driver Thomas 'Scrap' Thistlethwayte. The car passed through notable British and American hands, achieving a world auction record of $320,000 in 1979, and has been recognised at Pebble Beach — earning a class prize in 1981 and the Chairman's Trophy in 1997 — and received Best of Show by Public Referendum at the 1999 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €2,761,250 (≈ $3.04M)
- 1929-08-15 → 1929-10-25Factory deliveryGordon Watney (via British Mercedes-Benz Ltd)full documentation
Mayfair-based dealer who ordered the chassis through the British Mercedes-Benz distributor; the car left the factory in bare chassis form before coachwork was fitted.
- 1929-11-25 →Private saleThomas Thistlethwaytepartial documentation
Former Bentley Boy who switched allegiance to Mercedes-Benz late in his racing career; had hoped this car would arrive in time for the RAC Tourist Trophy but retired from racing that season.
- 1934-09-08 →Acquisition unknownClifford Taylorfull documentation
Berkeley Square dealer and part-time film producer who re-registered the car and arranged its appearance at Brooklands for an Ealing Studios production.
- 1938-11-17 → 1959Acquisition unknownEwart Bradshawfull documentation
Wealthy Lancashire businessman with multiple automotive dealerships; the engine is believed to have been replaced with a 680 S unit during his ownership. Bradshaw died in 1959.
- 1959 → 1963InheritanceBradshaw's sonpartial documentation
Inherited the car after his father's death; corresponded in September 1962 regarding the car's sale at £1,500.
- 1963-05-01 → 1979-02-01Private saleML 'Bud' Cohnfull documentation
Prominent Mercedes-Benz collector based in Los Angeles; had the car repainted white with a red interior. The car was a centrepiece of his collection until his estate sale.
- 1979-02-01 →AuctionSkip Bergpartial documentation
Purchased at the Cohn estate auction for a then-world-record hammer price of $320,000; entered the car at Pebble Beach in 1981.
- → 1990Acquisition unknownSkip Barberpartial documentation
Owned the car in the late 1980s before selling it to a Swedish collector.
- 1990 → 1998-10-01Private saleKent Olssonfull documentation
Swedish collector who commissioned a seven-year mechanical and cosmetic restoration by TE Berrisford; showed the completed car at Pebble Beach in 1997.
- 1998-10-01 →Acquisition unknownAumann Collectionpartial documentation
During this custodianship a further cosmetic restoration returned the car to its period colour scheme; the car was exhibited at multiple concours events including Villa d'Este 1999.
- Date unknownPrivate saleColonel Samuel Sandarspartial documentation
Military Cross recipient based in Lincolnshire; acquired the car from Taylor.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownLeland Gohlikenone documentation
Intermediary through whom the car passed between Berg and Goodwin.
- Date unknownPrivate saleDavid Goodwinpartial documentation
Competition
- 1929RAC Tourist TrophyDriver: Thomas Thistlethwaytedid not start
The car was expected to be delivered in time for this event but arrival was delayed; Thistlethwayte subsequently retired from racing.
- 1934Brooklands filming appearance (Death Drives Through)
The car appeared at Brooklands circuit as part of an Ealing Studios film production arranged by owner Clifford Taylor; this is a filming appearance rather than a competitive event.
- 19811981 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance2nd in class
Entered by owner Skip Berg.
- 19971997 Pebble Beach Concours d'EleganceChairman's Trophy
First major concours appearance after the seven-year Berrisford restoration was completed under Kent Olsson's ownership.
- 19991999 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'EsteBest of Show by Public Referendum
Shown during the Aumann Collection period following a cosmetic restoration to period colours.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1990RestorationTE Berrisford
Comprehensive restoration carried out over approximately seven years, commissioned by Kent Olsson.
Work completed around 1997, after which the car was presented at Pebble Beach.
- —Bodywork
Car repainted white with a red interior fitted by ML 'Bud' Cohn after it arrived in Los Angeles.
- —Bodywork
A further cosmetic restoration was undertaken to return the car to its period colour scheme, carried out during the Aumann Collection's ownership.
- —BodyworkCorsica Coachworks
Original Martin Walter coachwork replaced with a new Corsica Coachworks roadster body, believed to have been prompted by rear-end accident damage.
- —Modification
The original engine was replaced with a unit carrying a 680 S series number, believed to have occurred while the car was in Lancashire during Bradshaw's ownership.
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