1911 Mercedes 22/40 HP 'Colonial' Double Phaeton

Chassis No.10797

Engine No. 13609

History and Significance

In 1930, it drew the attention of famed racing driver Carlo Zatuszek, an Austrian-Argentine motorsport figure known for piloting Mercedes K and SSK models in competition. Zatuszek sourced new connecting rods and bearings for the car through Saporiti, a Milan-based Mercedes agent, further enhancing the car’s pedigree.

The Mercedes remained in Argentina well into the 20th century before being acquired in the late 1960s by Ricardo C. Bieler of Santa Fe. Bieler ultimately offered it to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, which officially acquired the vehicle in 1971. It was shipped via the Nopal Progress to New Orleans, then transported to Indiana, where it underwent a sympathetic restoration under the Museum’s direction. Documentation of the international sale and shipment remains preserved in the car’s comprehensive history file.

Though the restoration today shows gentle aging, the car was mechanically recommissioned in recent years and remains a running example. It retains an extraordinary degree of originality, including its factory carburetor, ignition system, switch panel, original coachwork tag, and even the wooden floorboards in the driver’s compartment — all rarities for a car of this vintage.

The 22/40 HP Colonial is immediately recognizable by its long-wheelbase tourer body, upright radiator, and large brass lamps. The dual chain drive is visibly exposed at the rear, a hallmark of early export-specification Mercedes chassis. Its commanding presence is further emphasized by period-correct livery and subtle patina earned through time.

Inside, the car features a spartan but driver-focused layout, with high-mounted controls and original fixtures throughout. Seating for four is arranged in an open, elevated touring configuration, capturing the adventurous spirit of early 20th-century motoring.

On the road, this Mercedes is surprisingly capable. With 40 horsepower channeled through its chain-driven rear axle, it offers a level of torque and smoothness that made it a legitimate long-distance tourer in its day. Its robust engineering — from the pressurized cooling system to the dual-ignition architecture — speaks to a machine purpose-built for endurance and reliability.

In the spring of 2025, the car was acquired by Tom Maoli, adding a key piece of early Mercedes history to his world-class collection. Today, it stands not only as one of the finest surviving Colonial-spec 22/40 HPs, but as a living tribute to the pioneering spirit of the Brass Era.

Among the most significant early Mercedes automobiles, this 1911 22/40 HP 'Colonial' Double Phaeton stands as a rare and remarkably complete example from the Brass Era. Built at the height of pre-World War I engineering brilliance, it embodies the ambitious design and technical innovation that helped establish Mercedes as one of the world’s premier marques.

At its heart lies a 5,623 cc T-head inline four-cylinder engine, producing 40 horsepower at just 1,230 rpm. It’s a highly advanced powerplant for its time, equipped with dual camshafts, a pressurized cooling system, and a dual ignition setup operating through both magneto and battery. While Mercedes offered a shaft-drive configuration for the standard 22/40 HP, this particular example was specified with a robust dual chain-drive layout — part of its “Colonial” specification intended for rugged terrain and challenging road conditions in global export markets. Additional modifications included higher ground clearance and a wider track, enhancing its off-road capability in remote regions.

The car is remarkably well-documented and retains its matching-numbers chassis and engine, confirmed by original Mercedes build sheets. Specially commissioned in 1911 by Robert, Pusterla y Cía — Mercedes' distributors in Buenos Aires — the car was delivered new to Rodolfo Roth, a respected mechanical engineer, professor, and historian. Archival period newspapers confirm Roth’s ownership and stature, cementing this Mercedes’ early provenance.

Design Differences

  • Long-wheelbase Colonial Tourer body with elevated ground clearance

  • Dual chain drive visible from the rear — signature of early export-spec Mercedes

  • Upright radiator, large brass lamps, and open cockpit layout

  • Finished in period-appropriate livery

  • Retains factory coachwork tag, extremely rare for the era

Exterior

  • Driver-focused layout with high-mounted controls and instruments

  • Original floorboards and paneling remain in place

  • Seating for four in a classic touring configuration with exposed driving position

  • Restored with attention to historical detail, now showing gentle patina

Interior

  • 5,623 cc T-head inline 4-cylinder engine

  • 40 horsepower at 1,230 rpm

  • Dual camshaft design for better breathing and efficiency — highly advanced for its time

  • Pressurized cooling ensures reliable touring performance

  • Dual ignition system: magneto and battery

  • Designed for long-distance, rugged travel in varied conditions

  • Robust chain-drive layout engineered for challenging colonial roads

  • A true Brass Era touring car — reliable, smooth, and capable of regular use on historic rallies

Engine/Performance