Mercedes-Benz 300 SL is a two-seat, closed sports car with characteristic gull-wing doors, and later, offered as an open roadster. Built by Daimler-Benz AG and internally numbered W198, the road version of 1954 based (somewhat loosely) on the competition with the company’s success that sports car of 1952, Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (W194 ) which had less power, as he still had carburetors.

This model was suggested by Max Hoffman. As has been designed for customers whose preferences were reported to Hoffman by dealers he supplied in the post-war booming U.S. market, has been presented in the Exhibition of 1954 in New York itself, unlike previous models presented in any Frankfurt or Geneva shows. The 300 SL was best known for its two doors distinctive gull-wing or butterfly wing and be the first car equipped with fuel injection in the combustion chamber. The gullwing version was available from March 1955 to 1957. In the Mercedes-Benz fashion, the “300″ refers to engine size, in this case, three liters. The “SL” as applied to a roadster, a synonym for “Sport Leicht” or “Sport Light.”

More widely produced (25.881 units) and starting a year later was similar to the 190SL with a search engine 4cyl 110 hp, available only as roadster (or with an additional hardtop, as Coupe Roadster). Production for the 300SL and 190SL ended in 1963 when the 230SL was introduced.

Race Car and the road

gull-wing doors, hinged to the roof, so named because the doors open resembled bird wings, were implemented in the machine can accommodate a tubular chassis, designed by DBAG’s leading development engineer, Rudolf Uhlenhaut. Some of the passers-by, that would be less than half the normal door. The tubular frame was necessary because the machine was originally designed solely for racing and is necessary as light as possible, while still providing high strength. This required the driver and passengers to do some ‘gym to get in or out of the car, he usually sits and slides in the doorway width. Tilt-adjustable steering column away made the process much easier.

It was Max Hoffman, the official importer of Daimler-Benz USA, who convinced DBAG management in Stuttgart that the street version of the SL 300 is a commercial success, including the United States. Hoffman’s prediction was correct since more than 80% of the total vehicle production of about 1,400 units were sold in the United States, making the Gullwing the first Mercedes-Benz sold in bulk outside its home market. The 300SL is credited for changing the image of the company in the United States, a manufacturer of solid, but asked, automobiles, a producer of sports cars.

Built entirely of steel except for the aluminum hood (hood), doors and boot (trunk), the SL 300 can be charged with the skin, all aluminum exterior savings of 80 kg (176 pounds), but added enormous cost.

First fuel injection

Motor, the tilt angle of fifty degrees to the left to lower hoodline was the same 3.0-liter straight six as the standard 300 four-door, but with Bosch mechanical fuel injection system, which has more than doubled in power 86 kW (115 bhp ) in its original carbureted trim to 180 kW (240 hp) 6100 rpm. This new injection system, first of all petrol cars (with the exception of a relatively small Gutbrodt Mercedes engineers had to work after the war), allowed a top speed of 260 km/h (161 mph), depending of direction (options), which 300SL the fastest production car of its time.

Aerodynamics played an important role in vehicle speed. Mercedes-Benz engineers even went so far as to horizontal “eyebrows” over the wheel arches. Given the overall style of the car, it was suggested that the eyebrows were added to make the car more attractive to American buyers rather than serving a functional purpose since American cars of the period were rather flamboyant by comparison with the 300 SL. Unlike many cars in the 1950s, ran fairly accurate, and four-wheel independent suspension allowed for a reasonably comfortable and turn much better overall handling. Maybe swing axle rear end just the difference, not the wheels themselves be treacherous at high speeds or on imperfect roads due to extreme changes in camber.

History of the race and the day 300SL

In 1952, 300SL racing history includes overall wins at Le Mans, Berne, Nurburgring and Carrera Panamericana in Mexico. It also managed second and fourth places on his first outing, the Mille Miglia in 1952. These successes, especially on racing at high speed open road, were rather surprising, since the engine was equipped with carburetors and produced only 175 hp, less than competing models of Ferrari and Jaguar, and less than road car later. But the low weight and low air resistance 300SL done quickly enough to be a competitor. superior reliability has a winner.

1955 race car, named Mercedes-Benz 300SLR is not based on how the 300 SL, but the Formula 1 car race Mercedes-Benz W196 with 8 cylinders in line. The engine displacement was enlarged to 2500cc to 3000cc, and was powered by standard gasoline instead of a fuel, including methanol. He won the 1955 Mille Miglia (with Stirling Moss at the wheel) with an average speed of 157.65 km/h to 1,600 km (97.96 mph in 994 miles). The 300SLR additional victories in Germany, Sweden, Ireland and the Targa Florio in Sicily, and won the world championship for sports cars in the constructors’ championship. The 300SLR was removed from the Le Mans 1955 disaster, when he led after a terrible accident involving one of the team cars killed 82 spectators.

Today, the 300SL with its unique door and technological innovations are considered one of Mercedes-Benz’s most collectible of all time, with prices reaching well past the U.S. $ 400,000 mark. In addition, scored 300SL Sports Car International magazine that the number 5 sports car all the time.

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