1955 Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing

1955 Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing, Tour Auto 2014

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Mercedes-Benz, Stuttgart, Germany.   The racing car (W194) was introduced in 1952 and the production version (W198) from 1954 to 1963.    It was famous for its gullwing doors that opened upwards and had a 3 litre straight six engine.  The W194 won the Le Mans 24 hours and the Carrera Panamericana in 1952, and came second in the Mille Miglia.  The W198 won the European Rally Championship in 1955.  Top speed of the road version was around 150mph depending on axle ratios.

1954 Mercedes-Benz W196

Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles, 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 Grand prix car.

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Mercedes-Benz, Stuttgart, Germany.  This streamliner F1 car won the 1954 Italian Grand Prix in the hands of Juan-Manuel Fangio.  It had a top speed of about 186 mph.   15 W196 were built to contest the F1 World Championship in 1954 and 1955.  Fangio was champion in both years.