The recovery of Mercedes-Benz in the early post-war years was remarkable and its first prestige model was the 300 saloon. Using this car's engine, transmission and suspension, Mercedes-Benz entered sports car racing. It proved successful, winning the 1952 Le Mans 24-hour race, the Carrera PanAmericana and many other events. The production model made its sensational debut in 1954. 1,400 Gullwing coupes were built between 1954 and 1957. The contents of this book provide a glorious review of these historic Mercedes-Benz sports cars.
In 1955, Mercedes-Benz wins the sports car world championship with the racing car 300 SLR (W 196 S). In addition to the titles achieved that same year in the formula 1 world championship and the European touring car championship, this success is proof of the unprecedented dominance of a single manufacturer on the stage of international automobile racing. Stirling Moss and Juan Manuel Fangio, the most successful drivers of their era, celebrate impressive double victories in the 300 SLR at the most demanding road races in the world, triumphs that continue to afford this unparalleled racing car lasting fame to this day. Based on extensive research in the archives of Mercedes-Benz Classic, this book provides exhaustive and authentic documentation of the technical development of the W 196 S. All of the races as well as the biography of each individual vehicle are presented with the aid of images and illustrations, some of which have never before been published. Its high-quality design and exquisite features make the book a true collector's item. (German edition ISBN 978-3-7757-4000-5)
When Mercedes-Benz created its 300SL in 1952, the famed German automaker so outpaced its competition from Ferrari, Porsche and Jaguar that its design and engineering standards became the hallmark by which sports cars the world over would be judged for more than a decade. Trace this fantastic car's development from the first racers of 1952, through the production Gullwing coupe of 1954, the roadster, the 300SLR, and the W196 racers. Rare Daimler-Benz archival photos detail the models from prototype, to production, to racetrack. Sftbd., 10 x 10, 160 pgs., 50 b&w and 150 color ill.
Complete coverage of the classic 300SL through the 190SL to the 'Pagoda roof' SLs of the 1960s. Filled with valuable information on exactly what is 100% original and authentic for every model and year. Contains 200 specially commissioned color photos detailing bodywork, interior and mechanical details.
The 300SL, the 190SL and the pagoda SL were already legends, when still in production. That has not changed till today. Names like "Gullwing" or "Pagoda" are forever associated with the SL name. Both cars are the foundation on which every new SL still rests today. And the SLK traces its roots back to the 190SL, the car that convinced management in the 1950s that the SL story was worth to be developed further. This reference book covers the complete history of all three versions, discusses a one of a kind 300SL roadster and comes with recent non-Daimler AG color photography. If you want to know more about these iconic Mercedes cars, then this book is for you. FREE BONUS: When you have bought this book, you are eligible for a free pdf file of any Mercedes model (such as W108 or W198 or R107 for example) the author has covered in one of his books. Please contact the author through his website (inside the book) and stipulate, which free pdf file you want him to send to you. These three cars are also covered in Bernd S. Koehling's books about Mercedes cars of the 1950s and 1960s. It was suggested to have them covered in a separate book to accompany the other SL book of Bernd S. Koehling: MERCEDES-BENZ, The modern SL, available also here on Amazon.
Essential Mercedes SL Laurence Meredith Subtitled: 19SL & Pagoda Models, the Cars and Their Story 1955-71. History, descriptions and analysis of the full range of Mercedes sports cars from 1955 to 1971, represented by the delightful 19SL ofthe 195s and the timeless Pagoda-roof models of the 196s. Contains informative specs, performance d ata and production figures. Sftbd., 8 1/4x 1 1/4, 8 pgs., 6 b&w ill., 6 color.
The 300 SL (W 194) is the first racing car with which Mercedes-Benz renewed its participation in international automobile racing in the postwar period. Top-ranking positions and triumphs, such as at the legendary twenty-four-hour endurance race in Le Mans or the Carrera Panamericana in Mexico, are not a long time in the coming and as early as 1952 secure a place for the Stuttgart-based make in the worldwide motor sports scene. The racing car achieved particular fame for its unusual gull-winged doors, which turn the production sports car 300 SL, introduced in 1954 and directly derived from the W 194, into one of the lasting icons in automobile history. The book provides exhaustive and authentic documentation of the technical development of the W 194 based on extensive research in the archives of Mercedes-Benz Classic: all of the races as well as the biography of each individual vehicle are presented with the aid of in part unpublished images and illustrations. Its high-quality design as well as its exquisite features make the book a true collector's item. (German edition ISBN 978-3-7757-4002-9)
