The famous 300 SL model designation is the main theme of Mercedes-Benz Classic at the Rétromobile in Paris in Pavilion 1 / Stand no. J062. A highlight of the trade fair is the rarely exhibited 300 SL racing prototype (W 194/11) from the company's vehicle collection.
The engineers call the one-off "Hobel" because of its angular front end. They developed the vehicle for the 1953 motorsport year on the basis of the 300 SL racing sports car, which was extremely successful in the 1952 season. However, the "slicer" was never used because Mercedes-Benz concentrated on entering Formula 1 from 1954.
Three roadsters and the "planer" at the Rétromobile
Mercedes-Benz Classic is presenting three Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadsters (W 198) at the Rétromobile in Paris. The super sports car is the open-top version and successor to the 300 SL Coupé with its famous gullwing doors, which was launched in 1954. From 1957 to 1963, the Sindelfingen plant only produced 1858 examples of the roadster. Two of the three sales vehicles have been restored by the experts at the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center. The third Roadster impresses with its unrestored condition and complete, original technology. It is a future restoration project.
The following Mercedes-Benz Classic vehicles will be on display at Rétromobile 2024.
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL racing prototype "Hobel" (W 194/11), year of construction 1952 - exhibition vehicle
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL racing sports car (W 194) marked the brand's extremely successful return to international motorsport in 1952. Ten vehicles were built. The great triumphs included double victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Carrera Panamericana. An eleventh vehicle of the W 194 series is built in 1952 as a racing prototype for 1953. Compared to the 300 SL racing sports car, it is optimized in many respects. Thanks to direct fuel injection, the engine produced 158 kW (215 hp). That is a good 29 kW (40 hp) more than in the original carburetor version. In addition, the gearbox has been installed on the rear axle, a single-joint swing axle has been used for the first time, the cooling air routing has been changed, the vehicle weight has been reduced and the chassis has been revised.
The modified front design with reduced frontal area earned the racing sports car the nickname "Hobel". The one-off was completed at the beginning of 1953. However, the company decided to return to Grand Prix racing in 1954. All other motorsport activities were subordinated to this goal, so that the "Hobel" was never used in competition. However, it provided important insights for the new W 196 Formula 1 racing car and, with its fuel-injected engine, was an important precursor to the 300 SL Coupé production sports car (W 198), which was built from 1954.
Incidentally, the in-line six-cylinder engine of the "Planel" has a displacement of 2996 cm3 and produces 215 hp (158 kW) at 5800 rpm. That is enough for a top speed of 260 km/h.
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster from 1957 is looking for a new owner
This 300 SL Roadster was built in November 1957 - also the premiere year of this open-top Mercedes-Benz super sports car. It is painted graphite gray (DB 190). A total of 125 customers ordered this color over the entire production period of the 300 SL Roadster from 1957 to 1963. The combination of this vehicle with the luxurious cream-colored leather interior is outstanding. Mercedes-Benz Classic acquired the roadster, which is highly original and in excellent condition, in 2006. Until 2017, the sports car was regularly used at high-profile events and customer events.
In 2017, the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Fellbach begins a comprehensive factory restoration, which will be completed in 2023. The vehicle is now back in the same condition as when it was delivered in 1957.
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster from 1958 on offer
This 300 SL Roadster has an extraordinary history. Its first owner ordered the car in New York. It impresses with a special color combination: the customer chooses a fire engine red paint finish (DB 543), ivory-colored leather upholstery and a black fabric top. She drove the roadster for almost four decades. In 1997, it became the property of her granddaughter.
The further history of the 300 SL leads across various continents and owners to the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Fellbach near Stuttgart. There it underwent a factory restoration from 2012 to 2020 in accordance with the strict standards of Mercedes-Benz Classic. The restoration, which took around 3,500 hours, focused on preserving the original components. The vehicle with "matching numbers" is now back to its 1958 condition, when the first owner took delivery of the fire engine red super sports car in New York.
Another Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster for sale
This Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, produced in October 1962, was personally taken over by its first American owner in Sindelfingen in 1963. The roadster later belonged to an owner from Arizona before being acquired by a doctor from Oklahoma City in the early 1970s. The new owner had the bodywork painted silver and the engine completely overhauled. He drove the roadster regularly until his death in 1987. The 300 SL was then carefully stored. With the support of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center Long Beach, this vehicle, which has only been visually refurbished, is now available for purchase. An expert opinion from Mercedes-Benz Classic confirms that the technical components are in their original condition: an ideal prerequisite for a factory restoration.
Further information on the exhibition can be found on the Rétromobile Paris website.
