Photo Archive Vol. 2 – Experimental Land Speed Project T80

Classic Car Articles, Image Gallery, Resource Center · February 17, 2019

The T80 was a six-wheeled vehicle built by Mercedes-Benz, developed and designed by Ferdinand Porsche and completed in 1939. It was intended to break the world land speed record, but never made the attempt, the project having been overtaken by the outbreak of World War II. The projected speed for the T80 was 750 km/h (466 mph) and its astonishing design still fascinates to this day.

Below you will find photos regarding the project T80. Photos taken from our private archive of rare original images documenting Mercedes’ history. Keeping in mind this was a project of the late 1930’s, the design and intention behind the project is all the more amazing!

COPY Mercedes T 80, a Porsche construction! (Hans) Stuck or (Rudolf) Caracciola should set a world record with this monster. The drive installed was a Daimler-Benz aircraft engine. The war was to blame for why this record car, which should have achieved 650 km / h, was never used. This record car is also in the Mercedes Museum in Stuttgart END COPY

COPY This monster was called T 80. This uber-racing car, which was unfortunately never used, is in the Mercedes Museum in Stuttgart-Unterturkheim. Hans Stuck wanted to achieve the absolute world record for automobiles with this superstructure, which was to be equipped with a Mercedes aircraft engine. The war made a dash through this plan. The vehicle with the rough side stabilizer fin stands in the Daimler Benz Museum. END COPY

Top Photo – COPY King Hussein and Princess Muna of Jordan view the T 80 world land speed project in 1964 in Stuttgart. END COPY Showing the car to His Majesty is Dr. Professor Fritz Nallinger, Daimler-Benz engineer and executive from the 1930’s through 1965 . By the time of this photograph, the dream of breaking the land speed record had passed for the T 80 project and World War II was the culprit. Bottom Right Photo – A small scale model as viewed from the top was the proposal for the T 80.

For more information on the T80, please visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_T80

Daimler-Benz Project T 80 Photo Gallery

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Scott Grundfor

Mercedes-Benz Restoration Expert and Enthusiast