Andy Warhol

Mercedes-Benz C 111 Versuchswagen (1970), 1986

Andy Warhol’s silkscreen paitings of the Mercedes-Benz Typ C 111 test car of 1970 adds an ironic touch to high-tech culture. Warhol’s picture sequence shows the car with its door open, underlining an imposing and monumental character. The front view shows the insect-like object to best advantage. The first C 111 was completed in 1969. It had a fibreglass body, and the central motor was a three-rotor Wankel injection motor. The triple-disc motor proved to possess insufficient power for a racing car. The C 111-II was built in 1970, and a more powerful motor was subsequently developed. The body was completely reworked to create a better overall look and to reduce the lift on the front axis. The C 111-II had a four-rotor Wankel motor with an output of 275 kilowatts, and could reach a top speed of 290 km/h.