A lavishly illustrated tribute to one of the most beloved European cars of all time. For nearly seventy years, no car has moved the lovers of classic cars more than the 300 SL. A legend since its launch in 1954 as a gullwing coupe, the 300 SL has been seen as the very model of what a sports car can be, its style and beauty perfectly matched to its power and handling. This beautifully illustrated tribute volume brings together Hans Kleissl, one of the world's leading experts on the 300 SL, and former Daimler historian and Mercedes-Benz archive manager Harry Niemann. The resulting book captures the magic and mystique of the car through history, photographs, insights into its technological breakthroughs, and firsthand accounts of its storied run. There's no better gift for the passionate fan of the 300 SL.
In 1952 Mercedes-Benz astonished the racing world with the successes it achieved with its 300SL, exploiting an advanced space-type frame and aerodynamic body with gullwing doors. Already the subject of a Ludvigsen Library Series book, the racing 300SL inspired the creation of a production version, which first took flight in 1954. The 300SL stunned critics and experts alike with its fabulous performance-more than 150 miles per hour-exotic looks and superb build quality. Not just a pretty face, the 300SL was also extremely successful in competition on both sides of the Atlantic. The original coupe was followed by a roadster version in 1957; in all, 3,258 were made. Drawing on his unmatched archive of Mercedes-Benz photos, including coverage by Rudy Mailander and Edward Eves of the 300SL production line, Karl Ludvigsen presents the 300SL in all its glory. He also draws on his own experience as an owner of one of these great cars.
In 1952, Mercedes-Benz astonished the world with its 300SL sports-racing cars, sleek coupes with startling, gull-wing doors. Based on the 300S production model but installed in a radical, tubular space frame, the 300SL was a tour de force of lightweight aerodynamic design. The later production 300SL has been well chronicled, the 1952 racing model has not, until now. This book portrays the amazing achievements of these tough cars and their epic victories at Le Mans and in the Carrera Panamericana. Extensive, unpublished photography superbly and intimately captured by Rodolfo Mailander show the 300SL at the Mille Miglia, Berne, Nurburgring and Le Mans. Rare Daimler-Benz archive photos also show the prototype, designed and built for the 1953 season and never raced. Every fan of racing and Mercedes-Benz will relish the pictorial revelations of this book.
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.
In the very beginning, the automotive industry was dominated by open-top vehicles whose body shapes were very much based on the horse-drawn carriage, there were open and closed carriages and then there was the Coupe. These were developed from the type of carriage known as the Berlin coach, which was designed as a classic vehicle for individual luxury travel and prestige. This type of carriage offered an intimate atmosphere focused exclusively on the passengers; it did not even have space for luggage, it simply exuded style, elegance and luxury in every way. This first volume of the Mercedes-Benz Coupe book addresses the journey from what was a functional sports car design to what has become the incomparable Mercedes-Benz 'Sports Coupe'; its timeless body design has remained, even today both a dream car and a dream Coupe to anyone whom aspires to follow in the footsteps of the early individualists who chose style and elegance over practicality. With over 300 photographs and illustrations, this book includes: an overview of the early days of 'Sports-Car' design; the influences of aerodynamics on design evolution; early protagonists at Daimler-Benz and how they influenced design of the Coupe shape; how the Racing Coupe influenced what became the production Sport Coupe; the experimental and one-off prototypes, and finally the continuation of the Super Sport Light concept through the 'S-Class' range.
Technical insights on service, repair, maintenance and procedures compiled from over 45 years of The Star, the magazine of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America. Since 1956, informed Mercedes-Benz owners have relied upon The Star, the magazine of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America, for advice about maintenance, service and repair of their cars. Bentley Publishers has collected some of the best of these do-it-yourself articles and tech tips into the Mercedes-Benz Technical Companion. No matter which Mercedes-Benz model you drive or desire, this compilation will serve as a valuable technical reference to help you understand and care for your Mercedes-Benz. This insightful and informed technical compilation has something for the Mercedes-Benz owner, service professional and enthusiast. You will also find useful technical guidance that pertains to Mercedes-Benz vehicles in general, based on the contributors' long-time dedication to Mercedes-Benz service and ownership.
- A thrilling photographic account of the treasure trove of cars kept by the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart that are not currently on display to the public The Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart is one of the largest and most visited industrial museums in the world. But the 160 or so automobiles on display are only a small part of the shiny chrome treasures that form the Mercedes-Benz Classic vehicle collection. Another 1,000 historical models are 'parked' in secret places outside Stuttgart - these secret places are called the 'Holy Halls'. This collection is the treasure trove of the brand. It has existed since 1923 and offers a comprehensive overview of the model history of Mercedes-Benz. Cars with special technology and equipment are stored here, as are the silver arrows of Caracciola, Lang and Fangio, the Pope's carriages, the state cars of the young Federal Republic of Germany or Mercedes models that became collectors' items due to their prominent previous owners. Some of these exhibits are well protected and waiting in special wooden boxes for their next use at exhibitions, fairs, events or classic car races. Others stand next to each other as silent witnesses of the past. Each time a model is modified, the collection is extended by the last vehicle of the discontinued series, which experts believe will be one of tomorrow's classic cars. The 'Holy Halls' are not open to the public; enquiries from editorial offices and TV teams have often been rejected. But, during the years 2016 to 2018, almost all the vehicles of the Mercedes collection were photographed. Thus, a unique photographic collection was created, the automobile history from more than ten decades; many of the previously unpublished photographs are exclusively available here in this book. In addition, Mercedes-Benz Classic agreed to open the 'Holy Halls' for an external photo team and provide information about the car models stored there. For the first time, it has been possible to produce a fascinating illustrated book with panoramic and detailed shots from the 'halls', and lively photo reports on cars that tell stories - from the first Benz batting motor car to the latest Formula 1 racing car. Equally thrilling are the stories of the unique specimens and prototypes that are stored in the 'Holy Halls': Mercedes models that never went into production are presented for the first time. The stories about the selected automobiles of the vehicle collection are supplemented by historical recordings from the Mercedes-Benz Classic archive.
Discover the Mercedes SL R129. Updated in March 2021, this guide tells you everything about the car's history; it explains in detail chassis number and data card and offers a comprehensive buyer's guide. All this is accompanied by great recent non-Daimler AG photos, this includes pictures of the suspension. These are some of the topics covered: Development of the R129 The 500SL and 300SL-24 The V12 arrives The 1995 facelift The 1998 facelift The navigation system The AMG models, from the SL36 to the SL72 The special editions, from the 1995 Mille Miglia to the 2000 UK Heritage and Silver Arrow The tuning scene, from Brabus to RENNtech The Middelhauve and Karman R129 Gullwing The VIN/FIN explained The data card explained R129 buyer's guide Technical specifications and production figures This guide ends with a free e-book offer. Enjoy!
