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1910 Benz 200 HP Blitzen-Benz
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1910 Benz 200 HP Blitzen-Benz | May 1, 2008
The Blitzen Benz was designed to surpass 200 kmh (125 mph), an astonishing speed at the time. To do this, the narrow car was built around a massive 21.5 liter (approximately 1300 cubic-inches) engine. In the early days of motoring, before there was a limit on displacement size in racing, the best way to increase horsepower was to increase displacement size. Therefore, displacement size grew quickly in the early years of automobile production. This car, with its massive engine was good for 200 horsepower.

Once operational, this car immediately began setting speed records in Germany, Belgium and at Brooklands. Fulfilling the design objectives, this car achieved a flying-start single kilometer speed record of 202.7 kmh. (more than 125 mph). This speed exceeded the fastest speeds obtained by the best trains and airplanes of the day.

In 1910 this Benz was shipped to America for a promotional tour. Barney Oldfield was hired to pilot the Benz, and he set an new unofficial record of 211.97 kph. Later, former Buick works driver Bob Burman set an official record of 2228.1 kph for the flying-start kilometer.
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