There are many people, events, and achievements that have contributed to the Mercedes-Benz pedigree.
Join us as we celebrate the anniversaries of 2005.
January
100 years ago — January 1, 1905:
The "American Mercedes" is unveiled at the National Automobile Show in New York. This copy of a 45 hp Mercedes is the first Mercedes produced in the United States by the Daimler Manufacturing Company.
100 years ago — January 25, 1905:
H. L. Bowden sets the world record over a mile with a flying start. At Daytona Beach, Florida, USA, he achieves an average speed of 176.5 km/h in a Mercedes with two 60 hp engines.
100 years ago — January 30, 1905:
In the run-off at the Ormond Derby, USA, E. R. Thomas drives ten miles at an average speed of 153.3 km/h in a 90 hp Mercedes-Benz, thereby setting a new world record.February
80 years ago — February 18, 1925:
The Mercedes star inside the laurel wreath becomes a registered trademark.
70 years ago — February 14 - 24, 1935:
At the international automobile and motorcycle exhibition in Berlin, Daimler-Benz presents the rear-engined 150 (W 30) sports car model with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine.March
105 years ago — March 6, 1900:
Gottlieb Daimler dies at the age of 65 in Cannstatt.
95 years ago — March 17, 1910:
At Daytona Beach, Florida, USA, Barney Oldfield drives one mile in the "Blitzen-Benz" at an average speed of 211.4 km/h, thereby setting a new world record.April
120 years ago — April 3, 1885:
Gottlieb Daimler files a patent application for his combustion engine with an upright cylinder ("grandfather clock").
105 years ago — April 2, 1900:
Emil Jellinek and Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft enter into a contract on the marketing of Daimler vehicles and engines. In the same month, Jellinek orders 36 vehicles in Cannstatt at a total price of 550,000 Goldmark.May
50 years ago — May 1, 1955:
Stirling Moss wins the Mille Miglia in record time, a record which still stands to this day.
50 years ago — May 1955:
The 190 SL four-cylinder sports car (W 121) goes into large-scale production.
30 years ago — May 15, 1975:
The Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9, the new top-of-the-range model in the S-Class, is introduced to the public. It has a V8 engine with 286 hp and hydropneumatic suspension.
20 years ago — May 10, 1985:
The internally-developed driving simulator is opened at the Daimler-Benz Research Center in Berlin Marienfelde.July
75 years ago — July 1930:
Pope Pius XI receives a special version of the Nürburg 460. It is the first Popemobile from Mercedes-Benz.August
120 years ago — August 29, 1885:
Gottlieb Daimler files a patent application for his "riding car" with a "gas or petroleum machine" (patent no. DRP 36423, issued on August 11, 1886). The 0.5 hp prototype is the first motorcycle in the world.September
105 years ago — September 20, 1900:
The honeycomb radiator is introduced. It is a major precondition for boosting engine output.
40 years ago — September 9, 1965:
A delegation from Daimler-Benz AG hands over a special version of the Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman landaulet to Pope Paul VI.
40 years ago — September 16 - 26, 1965:
Daimler-Benz presents the new luxury class comprising the 250 S, 250 SE, 300 SE (W 108) und 300 SEL (W 109) models.October
75 years ago — October 2 - 12, 1930:
The 770 "Grand Mercedes" model makes its first appearance at the Paris Motor Show, a representative car meeting the most exacting demands.November
75 years ago — October 2 - 12, 1930:
The first 35 hp Mercedes is completed. With its large number of technical innovations, it is the ancestor of modern cars.December
95 years ago — December 3 - 18, 1910:
Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft unveils a landaulet with Knight sleeve-valve engine. The 16/40 hp model goes into large-scale production at the beginning of 1911.
45 years ago — December 17, 1960:
Chairman of the Board Dr. Fritz Könecke hands over a special long-wheelbase version of the 300 d landaulet to Pope John XXIII.
35 years ago - December 12, 1970:
The first-generation anti-lock braking system (ABS) for passenger cars, developed in conjunction with Teldix, is presented to the press.