Stunning. Yes, that will do nicely. Stunning, in black.

The subject of this adoration is this extremely rare hand-built limited-edition piece from the studio of Carlo Brianza / A.B.C. Brianza in Italy; a 1:16 model of the one-off 1930 Mercedes-Benz SSK built for Count Carlo Felice Trossi.

All of the scant number of real SSKs were supercharged beasts, with most being used to race. This chassis, in rolling form, was bought by the Count in 1932, and the body - the only one this chassis has ever worn - was designed and built onto the frame under Trossi’s guidance, in his own shops.

A true aristocrat, Trossi was also a very skilled amateur race driver - and the financier for Enzo Ferrari’s Scuderia Ferrari race team. “The Black Prince” (as the car came to be called) now resides in an over-restored state in the collection of Ralph Lauren. Here, Brianza has replicated the Trossi SSK as the car was when in the collection of its previous owner, Thomas J. Perkins.

Comprised almost entirely of white metal, and weighing in at well over 5 pounds, the SSK measures just over 11 inches in length. The sumptuous, cream colored interior is upholstered in leather; the floor is covered in black carpeting. A.B.C. Brianza was the first model company to put genuine hand laced wire wheels on any production model; a set of those plated brass units is shown here. Lift up either side of the long double-hinged hood, and there’s reasonable engine detail; dare to remove the model from the long brass mounting rod holding it to its base, and you’ll see that there is full chassis detail.

To the best of my knowledge, this was the first scale model anyone ever produced of this SSK, from an edition purportedly commissioned by a group of German automobile enthusiasts to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Mercedes-Benz (1986). Brianza was commissioned early on to make the original pattern, and to mold, cast, and produce the entire edition in their workshop. The models went on sale around the time of the anniversary, offered through specialist model dealers around the world.

The edition was planned and advertised to be of 999 serial numbered pieces mounted in wood and acrylic display cases. As is often is the case, even the best laid plans don’t always work; only about 100 models were produced by the Brianzas, in total. The highest serial number I have seen is 78, and the one pictured here is number 15.

When they were new, I passed on owning one; at the time I thought the price was too high. Big mistake - and big regrets: I waited over twenty years to come across one for sale, and jumped in at a price substantially higher than the original. If you happen to be lucky enough to find one of these, you can expect to pay in the range of $2,000.00 to $3,000.00. Such is the price of royalty. -  CRM

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