[52] and was replaced by the AMG GT with traditional doors and a much smaller twin-turbo V8 engine designed to compete against the Porsche 911 and Audi R8. Low weight and low aerodynamic drag made the W194 fast enough to be competitive in endurance races. A tubular frame ensured high stability with low vehicle mass. "The design of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class", "The Original Supercar: The Mercedes-Benz 300SL", "The Roadster body-type of the 300 SL is yet another example of hand crafted beauty", "1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL opt. 15 results per page. Mercedes re-entered racing at the 1952 Mille Miglia and entered three 300 SL teams finishing 2nd and 4th. First place went to Hermann Lang and Fritz Riess with an overall average 155.6 km/h (96.7 mph), they achieved a new record in Le Mans history. These featured a solid cover over the passenger seat, a low profile racing screen in place of a full-width and height windscreen, a driver's seat roll bar, a custom cowl with engine air intake, and a lack of front and rear bumpers. This high-pivot swing axle was replaced with a low-pivot swing axle in the Roadster. Coughing up … [24] These eyebrows give styling to an otherwise slab-sided body. [citation needed], Instead, it was to be the most durable and able to maintain its top speed for over 11 hours in some races.[47][which? Max Hoffman, Mercedes-Benz's authorized United States importer at the time, inspired the 300 SL and correctly perceived an American market for such a car. Though, unlike some modern re-interpretations … However, the SL has since evolved to become a more autobahn-focused grand tourer due to increasing weight, especially with its optional V12 engine in later iterations. Engine output was increased 20 hp (15 kW) to 235 hp (175 kW). The two sports cars premiered at the "International Motor Sports Show" in New York, which took place in February 1954. The new SL competed in the Mille Miglia at the beginning of May and achieved second place. The tubular frame on the Roadster still supported the body, but was changed to create more space in the boot. [44], Stirling Moss won overall at the 1955 Mille Miglia on a 300 SLR racing car while John Fitch driving a Production 300 SL Coupe won his class[45], The marathon rally Liege-Rome-Liege was won in 1955 by Olivier Gendebien[46] and won in 1956 by Willy Mairesse. [10] A hardtop became an available option from September 1958.[10]. The 300 SL Gullwing remains one of the rarest cars built by Mercedes as only approximately 1,400 examples were made in Sindelfingen between August 1954 and May … For the 300 SL produced from 1985 to 1989, see, Mercedes gullwinged coupe (1954-1957) and roadster (1957-1963). A less expensive, 1.9-litre Roadster was introduced in 1955 as the Mercedes 190SL. However, the car was not used because Mercedes-Benz decided to take part in Formula One from 1954 onward. The Roadster had the same drum brakes until March 1961 when Ø 290 millimetres (11.4 in) disc brakes were introduced front and rear. Mercedes-Konzernarchiv. Motor Biscuit provides an overview of the risks involved in building your own 300SL, which makes the history of this project even more intriguing. The only option – already used on the W194 race car – that would allow passengers up and over an exceptionally high and deep sill was the now-iconic gull-wing doors. [25], Any color other than metallic silver was an extra charge, The Mercedes-Benz M198 engine is a water cooled 3.0 L; 182.8 cu in (2,996 cc) overhead cam straight-six. [10][3] Mercedes' new General Director Fritz Konecke agreed when Hoffman put an order in for 1000 cars[10] and the new 300 SL was introduced at the 1954 New York Auto Show rather than the Frankfurt or Geneva gatherings where company models made their usual debuts. [26] Compression was set at 8.55:1.[10]. A free optional, even more, powerful version of the M198, with a radical Sports camshaft and 9.5:1 compression ratio,[10] could be ordered for the Coupe. [49] The last two generations of the SL are hardtop convertibles with technological and comfort amenities. 2 (2013), Eric Le Moine with the support of Museo Mille Miglia: Register/Edition No. In the case of today’s 1991 Mercedes Benz 300SL, being a commoner doesn’t make it all that common. [54], As part of a partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Nintendo, the Wii U game Mario Kart 8 and its Nintendo Switch update Mario Kart 8 Deluxe feature a 300 SL Roadster as a playable in-game vehicle, added as part of a post-launch downloadable game update on 27 August 2014. Classifieds for Classic Mercedes-Benz 300SL. Use the filters to narrow down your selection based on price, year and mileage – to help find your dream Mercedes-Benz 300 SL. A valuable option was the Rudge rims 5J × 15 inches. ], Bob Sirna, a previous president of the Gull Wing Group International organization set a new Bonneville Speedway F/GT speed record in 2016 in a highly modified Coupe, establishing a new high speed for a 3L Sport car of 190.759 mph (306.997 kilometres per hour).[48]. The Roadster had this engine only on its debut in 1957. Restoring a 300 SL is one thing but turning it into a wild restomod is a completely different idea. 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