The SSK was the last car designed for Mercedes-Benz by Ferdinand Porsche before he left to found his own company.[3][4] The SSK is an evolution of the 1927 Modell S (S for Sport) which was based on the Modell K (K for "Kurzer Radstand" which means short wheelbase) variant of the Mercedes-Benz Typ 630. The SSK chassis was 19 inches (480 mm) shorter than the Modell S to make the car even lighter and more agile for racing,[5] especially short races and hillclimbs.[6]