Silver Arrows part 2.

[Ferry_vO]

After the success of the pre-war Silver Arrows display in the Louwman museum in The Hague a couple of years ago, Mercedes have returned with the post-WW2 Silver Arrows. Eight very interesting cars together, you would never see outside the Mercedes museum.

First car is this 1955 Mercedes 300SL, which came in fifth in that year's Mille Miglia:

'Das blaue wunder', the high speed racecar transporter, with a top speed of 105 mph!
The original was destroyed in 1967, this car is a replica. The 300 SLR on top isn't.

The original 1952 300SL chassis number 2, the oldest surviving Gull Wing:

The 1955 W196R Formula 1 car:

 

[Ferry_vO]

The W196R Streamline, designed for fast tracks:

 

[Ferry_vO]

And (for me) the star of the show, Rudolf Uhlenhaut's (Mercedes'race engineer) company car, this 300 SLR, which is basically an F1 for the road.
If Mercedes would ever auction this car, it could become the most expensive car ever sold. (Current record stands at 65 million for a Ferrari 250 GTO). Another 300SLR exists, and is also owned by Mercedes.

 

[huub vink]

Thanks for the beautiful pictures Ferry! I haven't found the time to visit the Louman museum this year. Always a beautiful place to visit.

Cheers,
Huub

 

[Panther_99FS]

Awesome stuff Ferry!

 

[Naismith]

Those are works of art.

 

[wombat666]

Superb images Ferry.

The only Mercedes I've ever really wanted to own is the 1955 300SL Gullwing, particularly the version in your photograph with less creature comforts and more 'competition' options.
And of course Herr Uhlenhaut's company car, quite a beauty which is unusual for a Mercedes vehicle.
Rudolf Uhlenhaut was quite a remarkable man, aside from his pre WW2 racing record he was entered as part of the 1955 Le Mans team, interestingly all the drivers in that group were cross entered in each car.
I was privileged to see and hear Fangio driving a W196 at the 50th Anniversary Australian Grand Prix meeting, fitted with a 3.0L engine (as used in the Temporada series) it was quick and no doubt because of the driver it led the much younger Brabham BT20
driven by Sir Jack for several laps.
And as for that Transporter............

 

[speedy70]

When are we going to get a W196 for assetto corsa.It is probaly the most famous racing car ever and nobody has modelled one.

Cheers chris

 

[Ferry_vO]

Thanks for the comments guys!

I agree Speedy, any of those racing cars would be great to drive in Assetto Corsa. I had a W196R in rFactor once, but that was long ago..


A few more photos: