They are among the most famous racing cars of all, the post-war Silver Arrows from Daimler-Benz. The Louwman Museum is showing seven unique vehicles in a special exhibition from July 7 to September 2, 2018.
The following vehicles are on display:
- Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (W 194) from 1952
- Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing (W 198) from 1954-55
- Mercedes-Benz 2.5-liter Monoposto (W 196 R) from 1954-55
- Mercedes-Benz 2.5-liter Streamliner (W 196 R) from 1954-55
- Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR racing car (W 196 S) from 1955
- Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé (W 196 S) from 1955
- Mercedes-Benz high-speed transporter from 1955
Each of the cars is a rarity in its own right and also has a special history. The 300 SL from 1952, which is shown, is the second car built with the typical gullwing doors and therefore the oldest car of this type still in existence.
The W 196, with which Mercedes returned to Grand Prix sport in 1954, can be seen in both the fully-clad version and the version with free-standing wheels. These cars dominated the top racing class in 1954 and 1955.
Both an open and a closed version of the W 196 R are shown. The latter was known as the Uhlenhaut Coupé and was never used in racing.
And then there is also the production coupé of the Gullwing (W 198), which was also used in races, and the racing transporter, which became known as the "blue wonder".
You don't really need a special reason to visit the Louwman Museum in The Hague - after all, it is one of the most beautiful car museums in the world. But the special exhibition certainly gives you one more reason to visit the Netherlands again.
Further information about the museum and the special exhibition can be found on the museum's website.
