Mercedes-Benz SL W198
(1954 - 1963)
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Germany
All Mercedes-Benz SL W198 models
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At the end of January 1954, Mercedes-Benz presented two new models that are still among the Stuttgart-based car manufacturer's flagship models today: the 190 SL and the 300 SL road-going sports car. Naturally, the magazine 'hobby' did not miss the opportunity to take a seat behind the wheel as soon as possible. Editor Sponsel even gave the 190 SL a lot of racing potential. This article restores the driving report from that time and shows the 190 SL in many early historical pictures.
Great victories and a racing tragedy of immeasurable proportions characterized the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR (W 196 S), which was only used in the 1955 racing season. This report looks back on the short career of the racing sports car, showing it in historical and new pictures, but above all also during extensive repair work that became necessary due to an accident in 1996.
The Mercedes-Benz 190 SL was the 300 SL for all those who could not afford the expensive super sports car. However, these words are by no means intended to denigrate the 190 SL - quite the opposite. It offered good driving performance and a chic design at a reasonable price. This report reproduces the original wording of an intensive test from 1955 and supplements it with historical images and brochures.
The Mercedes-Benz 190 SL was the Swabian car manufacturer's entry into a new segment and at the same time an important sales market, the USA. The first prototype was built in just three months after the investment decision and presented in New York. It was to take many more months from then until it was ready for production. The result was a robust boulevard cruiser with sporty ambitions, which has become one of the most popular classics today.
When you think of movie cars, the legendary Aston Martin DB5 from James Bond comes to mind for most movie enthusiasts. In comparison, however, the Mercedes-Benz 190 SL is a real blockbuster, as it has appeared in hundreds of films and has repeatedly been at the center of filming, including being driven by Grace Kelly! This report portrays one of the most popular classic cars of all time. And tells the story of the successful sports car.
The Mercedes-Benz 190 SL was the entry-level sports car for some in the 1950s, although it was not exactly a super sports car in terms of driving characteristics and performance. On the other hand, it scored points when it came to presence and design. This historical test report describes the strengths and weaknesses of the "little star". Many pictures from back then show the 190 SL in all its details.
In 1961, the magazine 'hobby' "cross-examined" affordable sports cars. Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint, Fiat 1500 Spider, MG A, MG A Twin Cam, Triumph TR 3, Porsche 1600 and 1600 S, as well as Sunbeam Alpine and Mercedes-Benz 190 SL were contrasted and compared. And the winner? Read for yourself! Let's just say that although the most expensive car was almost twice as expensive as the cheapest, the best sports car scored just under 3% better than the worst. This report edits the comparison test of the time and supplements it with many contemporary photos and sales brochures of the vehicles involved. To revel in!
Is the Mercedes 230 SL better than its predecessor, the 190 SL? Is it worth switching to a newer model? To get to the bottom of this and many other questions, hobby editor Heinz Kranz climbed into a fresh 230 SL and compared it visually, technically and on the road with its predecessor, the 190 SL. The result is a comprehensive vehicle report comparing the two models and detailing their advantages and disadvantages.
The Mercedes-Benz 280 SL of the W 113 model series and its direct predecessors, the 230 SL and 250 SL, are among the most popular automobile classics of all. Accordingly, much has already been written about them. That is why, in addition to a brief biography, this article focuses on special variants and versions that are less well known, but also offers driving impressions with a 280 SL with automatic transmission. Many of the historical photographs showing pre-series versions and special bodies are probably unique, as are the early press documents, which means that this vehicle report is also aimed at intimate connoisseurs of the "Pagoda".
Almost 40 years and several model series lie between the first open-top 300 SL and the last. Technically and conceptually, the W 198 and R 129 series are far apart. But both offered pleasurable open-top driving and superior performance, i.e. the same thing, albeit nowadays at a price that differs by a factor of 50. This report compares the first and last bearers of the 300 SL name and shows both in historical and contemporary pictures.
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All Mercedes-Benz SL W198 models
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