German racing cars dominated Grand Prix sport in the late 1930s. This prompted Italy’s motorsport governing body to restrict entry to its races in 1939 to vehicles in the smaller 1.5-liter (91.5-cubic-inch) class, in which no German manufacturers were represented. In response to the move, Mercedes-Benz developed the W 165 in just eight months and duly completed a 1-2 finish in the Grand Prix of Tripoli.

• Cylinders V8
• Displacement 91 cu in
• Output 254 hp (187 kW)
• at engine speed 8000/min
• Top speed 169 mph