Eternal youth is the miracle of a few cars, and the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL coupe is part of this elite group. In February 1954, the Stuttgart-based brand unveiled a new sports car at the International Motor Sports Show in New York, which ignited the fuse of the world icon of the automobile.
The coupe version next to the 300 SL Roadster
With its flat and graceful body, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL has not lost its freshness even from today's perspective, and in 1999 it was named the "Sports Car of the Century". The "gullwing" door provides the essential inspiration, opening up to the sky to reveal a refined and tight interior design.
The history of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL is inextricably linked to the life of an influential admirer. It was the American Mercedes-Benz importer Maximilian Brown. Maximilian E. Hoffman urged Mercedes-Benz to build a road car in the image of its racing car, and production began in 1954, which brought fruitful results to his efforts.
From the track to the road:
Mercedes-Benz W194 racing car
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL was originally conceived as a purpose-built racing car (internal code: W194). In 1952, the coupe enjoyed impressive success in the main races of that year. At the Bern Grand Prix, the Mercedes 300 SL swept the podium and led the race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with an overwhelming finish, a formidable performance.
300 SL prototype
Although there were no initial plans to put the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL into series production, the Daimler-Benz Board of Directors kept Maximilian Benz in mind. The appeal of Maximilian E. Hoffman. As the official importer of Mercedes-Benz cars in the United States, he always wanted to offer his customers a sports car, and the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL car fit his requirements perfectly. After lengthy deliberations, the green light was given to the serial production of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL for the road, as well as a smaller 190 SL roadster.
Type 300 SL (left) and one SLS AMG
Less than six months after the board of directors approved the project, the two models will hold a premiere. The International Motor Sports Show, held in New York from February 6 to 14, 1954, was the most important auto show in the United States at the time. The engineers took on the challenge of racing against the clock, and the Mercedes 300 SL and its little brother, the Mercedes 190 SL, were ready to receive cheers from the appreciative crowd. In August 1954, series production began at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen.
Body Design:
The bodywork of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL was developed to minimize aerodynamic drag. The result is streamlined styling with hardly any frills, and the car faithfully follows its design philosophy and maintains its freshness and appeal.
The coupe's unusually high and wide sill sills led to the adjustment of its signature gullwing doors
The new sports car is really appealing, thanks in large part to its attractive "gullwing" doors. They are not just a style gimmick, but represent a core element of the Mercedes 300 SL design. The car's aluminium casing is covered by a tubular frame that, for stability, rises much higher than the other models on both sides of the body, making it impossible to install conventional doors. The engineers' response was to devise a door concept that opens upwards. The elegant side view remains undisturbed by the door handles, which have a specially designed pull-out lever for opening the doors. Then, the door opens upwards with the help of a telescopic spring.
The tubular frame of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
The tubular frame of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, designed by Rudolf Uhlenhaut, minimizes weight but provides maximum strength. A series of extremely thin tubes are welded into triangles to create a frame that has extremely high torsional rigidity and is subjected only to compressive and tensile forces. In the standard version of the 300 SL model, the weight of the frame is only 82 kg, while the entire car is in driving condition, including spare tire, tools and fuel, and weighs 1295 kg.
The car's tubular frame limits the coupe's luggage capacity
The body of the Mercedes 300 SL is mostly made of high-grade steel sheets, although the hood, trunk lid, and skin of the door sills and doors are made of aluminum. For a relatively small additional fee, the customer can choose that the entire body is made of light alloy, which reduces the total weight of the car by 80 kg. However, only 29 SL customers opted for this configuration, and their cars are highly sought after today.
Technology:
The technical composition of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL owes a large part to the Mercedes-Benz 300 (internal designation: W 186 II) sedan. This six-cylinder engine received a number of improvements, one of which was the replacement of the carburetor with a directional injection system, a technological advancement ahead of its time. This new technology increases the power output to 215 hp, and depending on the rear axle ratio, the car's top speed is increased to 260 km/h.
The engine had to be tilted 45 degrees to the left to fit under the hood of a very flat car, reducing legroom on the passenger side. The center of gravity of the Mercedes 300 SL is located almost exactly in the middle of the car, providing the perfect foundation for fast and precise cornering. The chassis is basically the same as that of the Mercedes 300 A sedan, but the tuning is sportier, and the drum brakes have been adjusted to cope with the car's improved performance. It was only later, in the 1961 sports car variant, that these were replaced by disc brakes.
Interior:
Fabric seats are standard on the coupe and feature a unique plaid pattern
Leather seats are optional
The interior of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL is more solid than spectacular. The standard fabric seat upholstery is available in three lattice patterns, but most customers opt for leather. The body paint finish comes standard with silver metallic, although red, dark blue and black are also popular.
The steering wheel can be folded down to help get in and out
Getting into the 300 SL was a challenge due to a lack of space – it's a sports car, after all. Luckily, the steering wheel can be folded down, allowing the driver to twist his legs in the direction of the pedals. Once seated, the driver enjoys the refined ergonomic cockpit design. The steering wheel is just arm's length and the driver's feet are intuitively on the pedals: the 300 SL is very much a driver's car. In addition, as you might expect, the dashboard is very neat and clearly laid out, with the rev and speedometer in the center of the driver's field of vision.
Handling characteristics:
On the road, you'll soon realize the joy of driving a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL. With an engine power of 215 hp and a total weight of only about 1,300 kg, the acceleration is impressive, especially when the rear-axle ratios are well chosen. Superior torque ensures good traction at any speed.
The steering is very straightforward, and the suspension system ensures that the car adheres well to the road surface. Without a doubt, the Mercedes 300 SL is a sports car with the purest pedigree. That being said, it's far from impractical, as many car owners are quick to realize it. For them, it is a high-speed station wagon that offers precise driving characteristics, but avoids driving fatigue for the driver. The suitcase is large enough and there is extra space behind the seat for extra luggage. In addition, customers can also order a customized set of suitcases to make the most of the available space.
Success on the track:
The 300 SL sports car that won the championship in 1957
The racing DNA of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL attracts famous racers and private drivers from all over the world to participate in motorsport and rallying. In 1955, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL made its debut in the popular motorsport events of the time, and it didn't take long for it to taste success. The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL gained legendary status before the assembly line was discontinued, thanks in part to its success in the race, but above all to the captivating appeal of its stunning design. For 50 years, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL has been regarded as one of the most popular and highest-rated cars in the world, and its status as one of the most respected classics on the market will remain unchanged for quite some time to come.