| “ | This car model used to be Hitler's favourite car in the olden days: a Benz SSK with a Ferrari V model 12-litre engine, maximum speed over 300km/h... | ” |
— Narrator in the pilot film over shots of Lupin driving it | ||
The Mercedes-Benz SSK is a 2-door roadster sportscar built by German automobile manufacturer Mercedes-Benz between 1928 and 1932. [1] It was one of the most highly regarded sports cars of its era, and one of its fastest too. The name "SSK" is an abbreviation of Super Sport Kurz, German for "Super Sport Short."[2]
Lupin III primarily drives it in the pilot film, Part 1, Part 2 and Part III. It tends to get destroyed a lot, with the car somehow returning to working condition in the episode after. Because of the Fiat 500's immense popularity from appearing in Castle of Cagliostro, it has become a rarity to find the Benz SSK in modern Lupin media, with only a few cameo appearances like in Green vs. Red, in Lupin the 3rd Part 5, and in some specials.
The Benz SSK also appears as the icon of the Lupintic Label, which is a Japanese record label that has been publishing Lupin III albums since 2011, beginning with Let's Dance by Yuji Ohno & the Lupintic Five.[3]
Appearances[]
- Lupin the Third: Pilot Film
- Lupin the 3rd Part 1
- Lupin the 3rd Part 2
- Lupin VS the Clone (technically, as the SSKL 1931 is a variation of the SSK)
- The Castle of Cagliostro
- Lupin the 3rd Part III
- Episode 0: First Contact
- Stolen Lupin
- Green vs. Red
- The Woman Called Fujiko Mine
- Princess of the Breeze
- Lupin the 3rd Part 5
- Lupin the 3rd Part 6
Gallery[]
SSK Destruction[]
As mentioned above, the SSK tends to get destroyed often, despite being a prestigious and expensive sports car.
Notes[]
- Despite what the opening narration of the Pilot Film says, Adolf Hitler's favorite car was actually a Mercedes-Benz 770, which is a similar-looking luxury car best known for its use by other Nazi Germany and Axis powers officials.
- On top of his shared passion of small European cars with Yasuo Otsuka, another reason why Hayao Miyazaki insisted on making Lupin drive a Fiat 500 for Castle of Cagliostro was because it was supposed to symbolize him growing up and maturing, where Lupin no longer drove a Benz SSK simply because it was "Hitler's favorite".[4] It is also why he is only seen driving the SSK in flashback scenes in the movie.
- A variation of the Benz SSK, the Mercedes-Benz SSKL 1931, is used in Lupin VS the Clone.
References[]
- ↑ Kelly, Prescott V. (1998). "Ferdinand Porsche, 1875 – 1951"
- ↑ Lozier, Herbert (1967). The Car of Kings: The Mercedes "K" and "S"
- ↑ https://vgmdb.net/org/2287
- ↑ http://www.otakuusamagazine.com/SearchAudience/News1/The_Castle_of_Cagliostro_4553.aspx "