As a young boy in the mid-1950's, I was given a Dinky W196 Streamliner and that is where my love of models and race cars comes from.. That toy car pronounced for me what a race car should look like and began to open up my world to racing and cars in general. This room is a tribute to the great and mighty racing cars of Mercedes Benz in the mid-50's, whose lines have kept me captivated for over 50 years. By the way, I still have that toy!

Mercedes Benz W196 & 300SLR:

W196 GRAND PRIX CARS
Mercedes Benz W196 STR: Driven by Hans Hermann during the 1954 season as one of the three regular factory drivers for Mercedes. Hermann was a DNF in this race and his best race for Mercedes was a third place in the Swiss GP. Hermann is best known for his 1970 Le Mans victory for Porsche.
Model by BRUMM 1/43
Mercedes Benz W196 STR: Juan-Manuel Fangio drove to victory in the 1954 French GP, the first of four for Mercedes that year. Fangio went on to win his second World Drivers Championship.
Model by BRUMM 1/43
Mercedes Benz W196 STR: The third of the factory drivers in 1954, Karl Kling drove this car to a second place finish behind Fangio at the 1954 French GP, his best finish that year in Championship GP's.
Model by BRUMM 1/43

Mercedes Benz W196 STR: With its 2,496 cc, in-line eight cyl. engine producing 257 bhp dominated F1 racing in 1954 and 1955. The streamlined car while difficult to drive due to its limited visibility on tight circuits, was a visual masterpiece. This is the #22 1954 French Grand Prix car of Hans Hermann.
Model by SCHUCO 1/18
Mercedes Benz W196 STR: A pewter version with Fangio at the wheel, depicting the 1954 French GP car.
MOTOR RACING CLASSICS 1/32
Mercedes Benz W196 STR: After dominating at their debut two weeks earlier at Rheims, the Mercedes Benz team arrived at the 1954 British GP to face strong competition from Ferrari and Maserati. Despite gearbox trouble, Fangio fought on through the rain to take 4th place in this car.
Model by MINICHAMPS 1/43
Mercedes Benz W196 STR: The course at Silverstone for the 1954 British GP used oil barrels to mark the tight corners on the course. In the streamlined car, Fangio could not see them, so managed to hit several in the apex of those corners. This shows the damage to the fron t of his Mercedes he drove to a 4th place finish.
SPARK 1/43

Mercedes Benz W196 STR: Another version of the French GP winner of 1954 driven by Fangio. The numbers are a bit too wide and short.
Model by IXO 1/43
Mercedes Benz W196 STR: 1954 French GP team line-up of Hermann, Fangio & Kling
Models by BRUMM 1/43
Mercedes Benz W196 STR: Karl Kling drove this car in the 1954 Grand Prix of Berlin to victory in this non-championship race at AVUS. Kling went on to manage Mercedes competition teams in the early 60's.
Model by MINICHAMPS 1/43

Mercedes Benz W196 STR: Stirling Moss joined the Mercedes team for 1955 and together with Fangio, they were a formidable force in F1. However, at the 1955 Italian GP where he drove this car, he had a rare DNF.
Model by CMC 1/18
Mercedes Benz W196 STR: This overhead view with the bodywork removed shows the technical masterpiece that the W196 was. One of the innovations of the W196 and the 300SLR, is the fact that the fuel injected engine sits behind the front axles, giving a front mid-engine effect and superb weight distribution. The engine was also longitudinally mounted and was canted over at a 33-degree angle to lower its profile.
Model by CMC 1/18
Mercedes Benz W196 STR: Another look at the innards of the magnificent W196 Streamliner.
Model by CMC 1/18

Mercedes Benz W196 STR: A well done version of the Fangio French GP winner in a scale I have not seen another diecast model of this car.
Model by FRANKLIN MINT 1/24
Mercedes Benz W196 STR: Fangio drove this car to victory in the 1955 Italian GP at Monza. It was the final race for MB and a 1-2 finish sent them out in style. Fangio won his second of four consecutive World Drivers Championships.
Model by SPARK 1/43
Mercedes Benz W196 STR: A world beating car, driven by some of the best racing drivers ever. Undoubtedly the most beautiful GP car ever built!
Model by BRUMM 1/43

Mercedes Benz W196 STR:
Model by JNF 1/16
Mercedes Benz W196 STR:
Model by JNF 1/16
Mercedes Benz W196 STR:
Model by JNF 1/16

Mercedes Benz W196 (Monaco GP, 1955): On the tighter circuits such as Monoco, the W196 was an open wheel car. For Monoco, which held its first GP in five years in 1955, Mercedes fielded two short wheel base cars for Fangio and Moss and a regular wheel base car for Hermann. Fangio sat on pole, but retired at mid-distance with transmission troubles.
Model by SPARK 1/43
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Mercedes Benz W196 (Swiss GP, 1954 - WINNER): The Bremgarten Circuit had been the premier Swiss race track since 1934, holding F1 events there since 1950. The Swiss GP in 1954 was to be the final big race on the circuit, the Le Mans disaster in 1955 put a halt to racing on any circuits that included public roads in Switzerland. The track eventually fell into disuse. Juan Manuel Fangio won the final Swiss GP in 1954. José Froilán González in his Ferrari out qualified his countryman and Fangio started in second position. Stirling Moss starting third, passed Gonzalez and went after Fangio, but soon found himself under pressure from Mike Hawthorn in the other Ferrari. That battle lasted most of the race until Moss lost his engine. Fangio built on his lead, lapping the field except for Gonzalez who finished 2nd. The win would seal the Drivers Championship of 1954 for Fangio.
Model by ALTAYA 1`/43
Mercedes Benz W196 (Dutch GP, 1955 - WINNER): Stirling can't resist another photo opportunity, even though Fangio drove this car to first place in the 1955 Dutch GP. All three Mercedes sat on the front row for that race and Moss finished second to Fangio, who won the Championship in '55. Moss won the next race at the British GP by the narrow margin of .02 seconds. Did Fangio let him win?
Model by BRUMM 1/43

Mercedes Benz W196: The 1955 British GP was held at Aintree and was the 6th round of the Championship after the French GP was cancelled due to the Le Mans disaster, Fangio and Moss swapped the lead several times with Moss coming across the line in his home GP just ahead of his team mate.
Model by SPARK 1/43
Fangio and Moss:
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Mercedes Benz W196: Stirling Moss led the 1955 race at Monoco driving this car until he developed engine problems, finishing 9th. At almost the same moment Moss's engine blew, Ascari, perhaps distracted by Moss's problems, crashed at the chicane and went straight into the harbor.
Model by SCHUCO 1/18

Mercedes Benz W196 STR: This is the Dinky toy that started my love for race cars and these cars in particular. Well played with and patiently awaiting a restoration, someday I hope to give it to a young boy, with hopes that it will start his love for cars.
Model by DINKY 1/43
Mercedes Benz W196 STR: Another early diecast version of the W196 STR, this time by a German manufacturer. Not as well detailed as the models that follow, but it captures both the lines of the car and has the patina of a model from a different era.
Model by MARKLIN 1/43
Mercedes Benz W196 STR: Probably the best early version of a diecast MB W196STR is this one by Crescent Toys from England. The driver of this car looks particularly demonic when viewed close up. Flying like a bat out of hell!.
Model by CRESCENT TOYS 1/40
Mercedes Benz W196: 1954 - 1955 Grand Prix Season
Model by CMC 1/18

300 SLR RACING CARS

Le Mans 1955
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR: Developed for sports car racing, the 300 SLR was based on the W196 F1 car and is technically known as the W196S. The engine was enlarged to 2,982 cc and the output increased from 290 bhp to 310 bhp and it also developed more torque providing strong pulling power. The cars at Le Mans also featured a pedal operated air brake to provide additional stopping power to the big inboard drum brakes.
Model by PAUL'S MODEL ART 1/24
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR: Fangio and Moss drove this car at Le Mans in 1955. In an epic battle withe Hawthorne's Jaguar and leading the race, after the horrific crash of another 300 SLR and spectator deaths as it careened through the crowd, Mercedes with drew their remaining two cars. The 300 SLR's used the gearbox and modified suspension from the W196 F1 cars. The big ervo assisted, shaft-driven drum brakes were assisted by a huge air brake
Model by PAUL'S MODEL ART 1/24
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR: One of my all-time favorite race cars, here is another version of the Fangio/Moss car from Le Mans in 1955. Besides at Le Mans, the 300SLR was a force to be reckoned with on the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio and Dundrod TT. Nine W196S chassis were built. The cars all had two seats, the passenger seat being covered for races like Le Mans and Targa Florio.
Model by SCALECTRIC 1/32

Mercedes Benz 300 SLR engine: Right (near) side. Based on the W196 engine, the straight-eight cylinder fuel injected engine was bored out from 2.5L to 3.5L and power out put increased to 310 bhp. The engine was positioned behind the front wheels to give better weight distribution.
Model by CMC 1/18
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR engine : Left (off) side. Fuel required to ru the 300 SLR engine was a high-octane mixture of 65 percent gasoline and 35 percent benzene. The engine was canted to the right 33 degrees, giving a lower center of gravity and better areodynamic shape to the car.
Model by CMC 1/18
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR: To lower its overall weight, the 300 SLR used a spaceframe chassis and magnesium-alloy (Elektron) bodywork. It is generally accepted that this name references the car's lightweight construction as 'Sport Leicht Rennen. Stirling and Fangio look ready to race their Le Mans car once again!
Model by MINICHAMPS 1/43

Mercedes Benz 300 SLR (Le Mans, 1955): 300 SLR (Ch.#0006/55) was driven by Piere Levegh and John Fitch at the Le Mans in 1955 and was the Mercedes Benz involved in the horrific third hour accident that claimed so many lives. After colliding with Lance Macklin's Austin Healey and catapulting into the crowd along the straight opposite the pits, Levegh at the wheel was killed instantly. Fitch had started the race and the car was approaching the time to make its first fuel stop, when the accident that changed racing forever occurred.
Model by SPARK 1/43
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR (Le Mans, 1955): Hans Hermann had previously driven this car (Ch. #0006/55)on the Mille Miglia preceeding Le Mans, but retired after hitting an embankment after fuel from a loose filler cap splashed into his eyes.
Model by SPARK 1/43
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR (Le Mans, 1955): This car (Ch. #0004/55) was driven by Karl Kling and Andre Simon at Le Mans in 1955. The car was in third place at the time Mercedes withdrew its two remaining team cars from the race. This is the most successful of the seven great 300 SLR cars made by Mercedes Benz. It was the Mille Miglia winning car driven by Stirling Moss prior to Le Mans. It was also driven by Moss to second place behind Fangio at the Swiss GP and Moss again, winning the Tourist Trophy race at Dundrod.
Model by SPARK 1/43
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR (Le Mans, 1955):
Model by SPARK 1/43

Mercedes Benz 300 SLR (Le Mans, 1955): Driven by the dream pairing of Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss at Le Mans in 1955, the pair was leading the Hawthorn/Bueb Jaguar by a lap when Mercedes withdrew from the race in the tenth hour. There is not a great deal of doubt that the pair had the pace to win Le Mans had circumstances been different. This car (Ch. #0007/55), the last of the seven built was apparently never raced again, only being used as a test or practice car.
Model by SPARK 1/43
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR (Le Mans, 1955):
Models by SPARK 1/43
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR (Le Mans, 1955): The Moss/Fangio 300 SLR from the ill-fated 1955 Le Mans. The base signed by both drivers is another gem from Historic Replicars and is one of a limited number of 250 made by John Haynes.
Model by HISTORIC REPLICARS 1/24
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR (Le Mans, 1955):
Model by HISTORIC REPLICARS 1/24

Mille Miglia 1955 - 1st and 2nd
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR (Mille Miglia, 1955 - WINNER): The pairing of Moss and Jenkinson on the Mille Miglia is legendary. Besides serving as Moss' navigator it was also Jenk's job to press the horn button, which flashed the headlights as they came upon another car at 170 mph! Given the close calls and the pace they maintained, as a passenger, Jenkinson must of had a big pair!.
Model by BRUMM 1/43
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR (Mille Miglia, 1955 - WINNER): Stirling Moss brought endurance racing success to Mercedes with an outstanding win at the 1955 Mille Miglia, one of his best remembered drives. With co-driver Denis Jenkinson, they drove the 1,000 mile race at an average of 98 mph! MB was the only foreign make to win the MM.
Model by MAISTO 1/18
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR (Mille Miglia, 1955 - WINNER): Denis Jenkinson used detailed route notes on the Mille Miglia, along with an elaborate use of hand signals to direct Moss on their drive to victory in 1955. Jenkinson's article on the win. With Moss In The Mille Miglia is generally recognised as a classic of motor racing journalism.
Model by MINICHAMPS 1/43
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR (Mille Miglia, 1955 - WINNER): Over the 1000 mile open-road endurance race, Moss and Jenkinson won in the record time of 10 hours, 7 minutes, and 48 seconds, finishing almost half an hour ahead of teammate Fangio in second place.
Model by PAULS MODEL ART 1/24

Mercedes Benz 300 SLR (Mille Miglia, 1955 - WINNER): Castellotti's Ferrari was gaining on Moss as they approached Padova at 150 mph. They under braked at a sharp bend and hit straw bales along the road. This allowed the Ferrari past, but only to be repassed as the Ferrari stopped for tires.
Model by NOREV 1/43
Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinsen - 1955 Mille Miglia Winners Mercedes Benz 300 SLR (Mille Miglia, 1955): Fangio chose to drive alone on the 1955 Mille Miglia so that he did not endanger the life of a co-driver on this dangerous road circuit. While he finished second to Moss, Fangio was slowed by engine problems and finished on seven cylinders and otherwise would have likely won. Very heroic!
Model by BRUMM 1/43
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR (Mille Miglia, 1955): Driving alone, Fangio drove this car to second place behind Moss and Jenkinson in the 1955 Mille Miglia. To me, that's an incredible feat and demonstrates the skill and ability of in my opinion, the world's greatest driver.
Model by SCALEXTRIC 1/32

Mercedes Benz 300 SLR (Mille Miglia, 1955):
Model by NOREV 1/43
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR (Mille Miglia, 1955):
Model by NOREV 1/43

Mercedes Benz 300 SLR (Mille Miglia, 1955): Karl Kling, like Fangio, chose to drive alone on the Mille Miglia and in preparation put thousands of miles of practice in on the course. Kling was a very good river and Fangio rated him fastest among his Mercedes F1 teammates. Very patriotic and seeking a win for the German marque, missing a corner just outside of Rome, he crashed into a tree along the road ending his race.
Model by SPARK 1/43
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR (Mille Miglia, 1955): Mercedes Benz was in an all-out blitz to win the Mille Miglia. They brought to Italy an organized effort unseen before in sports car racing. Entering four ultra-light Elektron magnesium alloy bodied cars with their powerful 3.0L straight-eight engines producing 310 HP. They were backed by a fleet of cars for technicians and sixty personnel deployed at various strategic spots around the course. The team drivers practiced for a month in Mercedes 300 SL Gullwings.
Model by SPARK 1/43
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR (Mille Miglia, 1955 - WINNER): A rare version of the Moss/Jenkinson Mille Miglia winning car from 1955. Signed by Moss, the Historic Replicars models in heavy white metal made by master modeler John Haynes are prize pieces in my collection.
Model by HISTORIC REPLICARS 1/24
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR (Mille Miglia, 1955 - WINNER):
Model by HISTORIC REPLICARS 1/24

Mercedes Benz 300 SLR - Mille Miglia 1955 WINNER :
Model by CMC 1/18
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR - Mille Miglia 1955 WINNER :
Model by CMC 1/18
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR - Mille Miglia 1955 WINNER :
Model by CMC 1/18
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR - Mille Miglia 1955 WINNER :
Model by CMC 1/18

Mercedes Benz 300 SLR (Mille Miglia, 1955): Hans Hermann was joined on the Mille Miglia by Fangios mechanic, Hermann Eger. Starting six minutes behind Fangio, they caught up and passed him into third place as Fangio struggled with fuel injection problems. After the second place Ferrari retired just outside Rome, the pair were in second place before disaster struck. At Rome during their refueling stop, the fuel filler cap on their car was not secured properly.
Model by SPARK 1/43
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR - Mille Miglia, 1955 : Climbing the Futa Pass, the cap came off dousing Herrmann and Eger in fuel. Fuel managed to splash in Herrmanns eyes and temporarily blinded, he spun the car and hit an embankment. Fearing the damaged car would burst into flames, the pair leapt from the car, their race over. They proceeded to walk into the nearest village where they traded their fuel-soaked overalls for pairs of pajamas. They must have been quite a sight when their crew picked them up.
Model by SPARK 1/43

Targa Florio 1955
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR (Targa Florio, 1955 - WINNER): Yet another brilliant drive, Stirling Moss and Peter Collins drove this car to victory in the 1955 Targa Florio. That victory insured the constructors championship for Mercedes. It was also after that race that Mercedes announced that they were withdrawing from racing and an era in sports car racing ended.
Model by MAISTO 1/18
"Sicilian Magic": This print is of Stirling Moss at the 1955 Targa Florio, passing through the village of Campofelice. Note the pounding the car has taken. The Merceds team cars always seemed to take a beating in road races. The 300SLR Moss drove in the Targa Florio was the same car he drove to victory in the Mille Miglia.
Print by NICHOLAS WATTS
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR (Targa Florio, 1955 - WINNER): Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss chat before the start of the Targa Florio in 1955. The pairing of Moss and Peter Collins was formidable, taking first place and holding off a very determined Fangio as Moss drove the car to victory.
Model by BRUMM 1/43
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR (Targa Florio, 1955 - WINNER): Refueling Moss' 300 SLR at Brescia on his way to victory on the Targa Florio.
Model by SPARK 1/43

Mercedes Benz 300 SLR (Targa Florio, 1955): Juan Manuel Fangio drove with Karl Kling in the 1955 Targa Florio, finishing second to Moss and Collins. This was the final race for the 300SLR, sealing the World Sportscar Championship for Mercedes. Following the Le Mans tragedy, Mercedes with drew from racing at the end of the 1955 season.
Model by BRUMM 1/43
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR (Targa Florio, 1955):
Model by BRUMM 1/43
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR (Dundrod, 1955 - WINNER): The RAC Tourist Trophy dates back 1905 and is the oldest motor race in the world still be run. Originally envisioned as a contest for touring automobiles, from 1928 to 1959 it featured sports cars and was moved from the Isle of Man where it originated to N. Ireland. Originally run on the 13.6 mile Ards circuit, the race was moved to the Dundrod Circuit in 1950, the first TT race held after WWII. Like Ards, Dundrod was a dangerous track and being comprised of rural roads, the 7.2 mile course was twisty and narrow.
Model by MATRIX 1/43
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR (Dundrod, 1955 - WINNER): Following the Le Mans tragedy in 1955, it was to be the last year the TT was run at Dundrod. Stirling Moss and John Fitch drove their MB 300 SLR to victory, reclaiming the lead when Mike Hawthorne's Jaguar retired. Moss was leading earlier in the race when he clipped a hedgerow and shredded a tire, which in turn tore up the rear fender. The win helped Mercedes secure the World Sportscar Championship and was the next to last race for these magnificent 2.6L (370 hp) straight-eight, fuel injected beauties.
Model by MATRIX 1/43

Mercedes Benz 300 SLR Swedish GP, 1955 - WINNER): The first post-war Swedish GP was held in 1955 and was held for sports cars. It came just a couple months after the Le Mans tragedy, but that didn't deter over 75,000 spectators from lining the four mile (6.5 Km) long Kristianstad Circuit. Mercedes entered 300 SLR's for both Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss. Despite strong opposition from the works Aston Martin, Maserati and Ferrari teams and a privately entered Jaguar and Maserati; a Mercedes would lead every lap of the race. Fangio setting pole position, with Moss on the grid next to him.
Model by MATRIX 1/43
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR Swedish GP, 1955 - WINNER: Stirling Moss was first away after the Le Mans style start at the 1955 Swedish GP and led after the first lap. Fangio however reeled him in and claimed the lead on lap two and held it for the next thirty-one laps; setting fastest lap in the process. Moss finished the race a close second, just three-tenths of a second behind his teammate. A non-championship race and so close after Le Mans, only a dozen cars were entered. However, Mercedes showed its dominance that would win the World Sports Car Championship in 1955 before it withdrew from racing altogether.
Model by MATRIX 1/43

Mercedes Benz 300 SLR Swedish GP, 1955 - WINNER): The great Mercedes sports car wins with the 300 SLR on the 1955 Targa Florio, Mille Miglia, Tourist Trophy at Dundrod and the ill-fated Le Mans have a tendency to over shadow the 1955 Swedish GP at Kristianstad, where Juan Manuel Fangio claimed victory for Mercedes in this car. Motor racing was just coming of age in Sweden and this race allowed the Nordic country to take a great step forward. Following the disaster at Le Mans, with many European races cancelled, Sweden with the direct help of its Crown Prince Bertil, was able to attract an outstanding list of international cars and drivers. Unlike other teams which sent one or two cars the long distance to Sweden, Mercedes Benz sent its full team of cars, support vehicles, crew and drivers.
Model by SPARK 1/43
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR Swedish GP, 1955 - WINNER): The circuit itself at Kristianstad was new and three-fourths of the circuit was comprised of narrow public roads, the finish straight and main grandstands on a purpose built private road. Practice showed the Mercedes of Stirling Moss fastest, followed by Fangio and then the Ferrari (121 LM) of Castellotti, with the Maserati's (300S) of Behra and Musy, Jaguar (D-type) of Head and Aston Martin (DB3S) of Collins and Salvadori slowed by rain during the final practice session. At the race start, Moss took the lead but quickly waived Fangio ahead, where he followed the team leader closely for all 32 laps on the 4.1 mile circuit. The Mercedes were dominant, with the Ferrari a distant third, followed by the two Maserati's, the Jaguar and the Aston Martin. It was a successful race for the Swedish Motor Club which organized and sponsored the event, along with a much needed return to 'safe' racing following Le Mans.
Model by SPARK 1/43
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR Swedish GP, 1955 - WINNER):
Diorama by OLD IRISH RACING 1/43


Mercedes Benz 300 SLR Coupe: Rudolf Uhlenhaut, the head of Mercedes Motorsport ordered two coupes built on the basis of the 300SLR in anticipation needing a closed car for endurance racing. With Mercedes withdrawal from racing, one of the coupes became his personal transportation and also spawned several legends. So called the Uhlenhaut Coupe, it was reported to be the fastest car in the world in its day!
Model by MAISTO 1/18
Mercedes Benz 300 SLR Coupe: Imagine a Formula One car transformed into a grand touring machine, that's what Mercedes did when they built the 300 SLR Coupe. Karl Wilfert who designed the MB 300SL Gullwing and the W196S F-1 car, also designed this coupe. While it looks very similar to the Gullwing, the two cars do not share any similar sheet metal. The second coupe was used by the MB Sports Car Team for practice at such races as the Targa Florio and Mille Miglia.
Model by MINICHAMPS 1/43

OTHER MERCEDES RACING CARS
1937 Mercedes Benz W125: The W125 was designed by Rudolf Uhlenhaut to race during the 1937 Grand Prix season and this W125 was used by Rudolf Caracciola to win the 1937 European Championship. It is seen here in its 1937 Monoco GP configuration. The 5.6L supercharged 8-cylinder engine of the W125 had an output of 595 hp. It was considered the most powerful race car ever made until the Can Am cars of the 1960's came along. The engine capacity of supercharged Grand Prix cars was limited to 3.0L and the W125 was replaced by the Mercedes-Benz W154.
Model by BRUMM 1/43
1939 Mercedes Benz W154/W163: The 'Silver Arrows' from Mercedes Benz, along with Auto Union, dominated grand prix racing in the late 1930's. New body work from an aluminum alloy, along with a new 3.0L V12, two-stage supercharged engine made the W163 different from the W154 before it. The engine ran on a mix of methyl alcohol, nitro-benzine, acetone and sulphuric ether, which required two fuel tanks for its 2 mpg consumption. It put out 483 bhp and had a top speed of 192 mph. This car finished 1st at the German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring, with the great Rudolph Caracciola at the wheel.
Model by BRUMM 1/43
1952 Mercedes Benz 300SL W194: Mercedes entered three 300 SL's for the 1952 Carrera Panamericana race in Mexico. Two were coupes and one was roadster driven by American John Fitch. This car driven by Herrmann Lang and Erwin Grupp finished second behind the winning coupe driven by Karl Kling and Hans Klenk. Fitch failed to finish as his car was disqualified after receiving "illegal" repairs. These were the protoypes of the production 300SL Gullwing.
Model by MAX MODEL 1/43

1952 Mercedes Benz 300SL W194: The original 300SL was a purpose built race car and is the spiritual father of the 300SLR. This car took second place at Le Mans in 1952 with Theo Helfrich and Helmut Niedermayr. Slightly underpowered, the low weight and low aerodynamic drag made the 300SL fast enough to be competitive in endurance races. The W194 demonstrated that Mercedes could produce a world beating sports racing car, which ultimately led to the 300SLR.
Model by IXO 1/43
1952 Mercedes Benz 300SL W194 LE MANS WINNER: Hermann Lang and Fritz Riess were the winning drivers at Le Mans in 1952, finishing one lap ahead of their team mates. The six-cylinder SOHC 3.0L engine in the 300 SL W194 produced 175 hp. Besides Le Mans, a W194 won the Carrera Panamericana in 1952, as well as a second and fourth place finishes on the Mille Miglia. A home win at the GP Nurburgring by Lang was the icing on the cake.
Model by IXO 1/43
1957 Mercedes Benz 300 SL: Paul O'Shea drove this factory supported 300 SL to the SCCA D Sports National Championship in 1957. The prior two seasons he had won the SCCA D Production National Championship in a 300 SL Gullwing. Through the urging of US distributor Max Hoffman, Mercedes supported the US racing effort with Hoffman's sponsorship and the cars prepared and entered by George Tilp. O'Shea was selected to drive based on the recommendation from John Fitch.
Model by SCHUCO 1/43
Mercedes Benz 'Blue Wonder': In order to transport their cars quickly from the factory in Stutgart to the track, or back again for quick repairs, the team employed this transporter. Nick named the "Blue Wonder", the purpose-built transporter was often seen traversing the high speed roads in Europe at well over 100 mph, powered by its 300SL engine.
Model by CONRAD 1/43

2000 AMG-Mercedes CLK-DTM: Thomas Jager drove this car in the revived 2000 DTM Championship, supporting teammate and series champion Bernd Schneider. These were highly modified, V8 powered, tube frame, carbon fiber silhouette bodied racers (although the roof and roof pillars do originate from the production car). The engine power is limited to 470 hp.
Model by AUTOART 1/43
1989 Sauber C9 Mercedes-Benz (LE MANS WINNER): The Team Sauber entry driven by Jochen Mass, Manuel Reuter and Stanley Dickens won Le Mans in 1989, with team cars also in 2nd and 5th positions. After two years of trying, the C9 dominated Group C racing in '89, winning all but one race. Its all-alloy, turbo-charged 5.0L V8 engine produces 720 bhp and a top speed of over 240 mph. The Silver Arrows of Merceds reborn!
Model by IXO 1/43
2014 Mercedes SLS AMG GT3: The SLS AMG GT3 is a race car version of SLS AMG Coupé, developed in accordance with the GT3 regulations introduced in 2011. According to AMG, however, the 6.2-liter V-8 will likely make 600 horsepower Limited edition #30 of 700. The first edition of the Hankook 12H Zandvoort finished with a fantastic victory for the Car Collection Motorsport Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3, driven by Peter Schmidt, Christian Bracke, Mirko Schultis and local hero Renger van der Zande. The team won the race after an exciting battle in the opening hours with the Scuderia Praha Ferrari 458 GT3 Italia.
Model by SPARK 1/43

PRODUCTION CARS
1955 Mercedes Benz 300 SL: The 300SL Gull-wing was the world's fastest production car when introduced in 1954. Its distinctive gull wing doors have also made this one of the world's most recognizable cars. Powered by its six-cylinder 3.0L SOHC engine, the 300SL's 212 hp was good for over 160 mph. The Gullwing was based on the racing prototypes which won Le Mans in 1952. It was produced until 1957 and is today one of the most sought after collector cars.
Model by IXO 1/43
1956 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster: In 1953, USA Mercedes Benz importer Max Hoffman suggested that a road going car based on MB race cars be built and in 1954, the 300 SL debuted at the NY Auto Show to much acclaim. Demand was such, that MB launched a roadster version of the gullwing coupe in 1956 and it was produced from 1957-1963. The roadster shared the same tube frame and 3.0L straight-six overhead cam engine as the coupe, but developing slightly more horsepower at 240 hp (215 hp for the coupe) using a different cam shaft. The extra power helped the heavier roadster achieve the same performance and top speed (162 mph) as the coupe. The roadster also featured a revised rear axle which gave the car better handling. A hardtop option became available in 1958, which gave a less claustrophobic and easier to enter continental touring car than the coupe which ceased production in 1957.
Model by PREMIUM CLASIXXS 1/43
1955 Mercedes Benz 300 SL:
Model by SCHUCO 1/43
1959 Mercedes Benz 300 SLS: Not as well known as the Gullwing coupes, the 300SL roadster produced from 1957-63 are great cars in their own right. With the same mechanicals as the coupe on a tube frame chassis, the fuel-injected 3.0L six-cylinder capable of producing 222 bhp, moved the car along to a top speed of 160 mph. Aerodynamics played an important role in the car's speed. The 300SLS was a light weight version of the 300SL roadster which was for special racing customers.
Model by TEKNO 1/43

1955 Mercedes Benz 300 SL:
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1955 Mercedes Benz 300 SL:
Model by SOMMERVILLE 1/43
1956 Mercedes Benz 300 SC: The 300SC was a handmade sports tourer, the pinnacle of the Mercedes line of their era. These cars were fast, elegant and expensive. The 300SC is powered by a 3.0L fuel-injected OHC straight-6 producing 173 hp. The exclusive SC was available in coupe, cabriolet and roadster versions.
Model by ALTAYA/IXO 1/43
1961 Mercedes Benz 300 SL: The "SL" stood for "Sport Leicht" (Sport Light) and even in the early 60's, the 300SL was still a highly sought after roadster. With very few changes since its introduction in 1955, the 300SL's body was mainly steel, except for the aluminum hood, doors and trunk lid. It had a very aerodynamic shape and even the horizontal "eyebrows" over the wheel openings helped to reduce drag.
Model by CORGI 1/43

1963 Mercedes Benz 230 SL: The 230 SL was introduced in 1963 to replace the 300SL and was produced until 1967. With a 2.3L in line six-cylinder engine producing 150 hp, with the optional 5-speed manual, this could be a proper GT car capable of 120 mph. Most cars were fitted with an optional hard top. The 280 SL was replaced by the 2.5L engined 250 SL.
Model by IXO 1/43
1976 Mercedes Benz 280E: Produced for ten years between 1975-85, these 2.8L six-cylinder cars with all the refinements of the larger MB sedans were immensely popular. Fuel injection, four wheel disc brakes, 177 bhp, good for 120 mph on the Autoban, makes these early performance sedans from Stuttgart worthy of inclusion in our collection.
Model by SOLIDO 1/43
2005 Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren: The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is an Anglo-German sports car jointly developed by Mercedes-Benz and McLaren Automotive, Mercedes owns 40% of the McLaren Group. This is MB's entry into the top echelon of GT cars with SLR standing for "Sport, Leicht, Rennsport" (sport, light, racing). Mercedes-Benz has stated that they will build 3500 SLRs in a span of 7 years, with an annual production of only 500 cars. The SLR sports a hand-built 5.4-litre, supercharged, all-aluminium, SOHC V8 engine which produces 617 hp and a top speed of 210 mph.
Model by IXO 1/43

RACE & SERVICE SUPPORT VEHICLES
1954 Mercedes Benz 170S-D: The 170S-D was made between 1953-55 as a continuation of the earlier 170 with revised sheet metal. The S-D used the 170 luxury car chassis powered by a 1.8L diesel engine of 40 hp, which delivered a top speed of 65 mph, depending on the load. Hence the D in the model number. The 170S-D was a popular chassis for commercial use such as ambulances, pickups and as in this case, vans. The great racing driver Juan Manuel Fangio befriended a teenager named Martin Varrona, who made deliveries to Fangio's home in Argentina. When Varrona went to start his own trucking business, Fangio helped finance it. A regular to Fangio's Mercedes dealership, Varrona noticed this 170S-D languishing in a corner; its days of delivering and picking up parts long over. Varrona was eventually able to acquire the van and had it completely restored as original. It sold at auction in 2016 for just under $50K.
Model by ALTAYA 1/43
1954 Mercedes Benz L3500: Based on the first post WWII truck from MB, the L3500 had a six-cylinder diesel engine of 4.7L, that had 90 hp. Perfect hauling a couple of lightweight F1 cars across Europe.
Model by PREMIUM CLASSIXXS 1/43
1954 Mercedes Benz L4500: A more robust dirivitive of the L3500, the L4500 had a more powerful 100 hp engine. Used by the Rennabteilung (Racing Department) to haul one orr two cars and necessary spares.
Model by PREMIUM CLASSIXXS 1/43
1954 Mercedes Benz L3500: Special Delivery!
Models by PREMIUM CLASSIXXS 1/43



To continue to another section of the Old Irish Racing Collection, select one of the following:

THE SIGNATURE PROJECT & RACING DIORAMAS

RACING SUPPORT VEHICLES, TRANSPORTERS & OTHER TRUCKS

JAGUAR RACING CARS:
1950's
1960 - 1979
1980 - 1989
1990's - Present

JAGUAR AT LE MANS

JAGUAR AUTOMOBILIA

JAGUAR PRODUCTION CARS:
PRE-WAR to 1959
1960 to 1968
1969-1987
1988 - Present

JAGUAR CONCEPT CARS

EACH JAGUAR MODEL FROM 1935 IN PRODUCTION ORDER

FERRARI RACING CARS:
1949 - 1959
1960 - 1969
1970 - 1979
1980 - Current

FERRARI FORMULA ONE

FERRARI PRODUCTION CARS

PORSCHE RACING & PRODUCTION CARS:
1950's & 60's
1970's
1980's
1990 - Current

BRUMOS RACING TEAM
PORSCHE PRODUCTION CARS

FORMULA 1, GRAND PRIX, INDY:
1900 - 1959
1960 - 1969
1970 - 1979
1980 - PRESENT

THE TRIPLE CROWN OF ENDURANCE RACES:
THE 24 HOURS of LE MANS 1923-2020
THE 12 Hours of SEBRING WINNERS
THE 24 HOURS of DAYTONA WINNERS

GREAT AUTOMOTIVE MAKES & RACING TEAMS:
ABARTH
ALFA ROMEO
ASTON MARTIN
AUDI
AUSTIN HEALEY & HEALEY
BMW
CHAPARRAL
CHEVROLET & GM POWER
CUNNINGHAM
DATSUN/NISSAN
ECURIE ECOSSE
FORD POWER: GT40's, MUSTANGS, MIRAGE & MORE
SHELBY -FORD'S: COBRAS, DAYTONAS, GT40's & MUSTANGS
GROUP 44, Inc.
LANCIA
LOLA SPORTS CARS
LOTUS
McLAREN
MASERATI
MERCEDES BENZ
MG CARS
TOYOTA
TRIUMPH

MISC. RACING AND PRODUCTION CARS BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
AMERICAN, ASIAN, AUSTRALIAN
BRITISH
FRENCH
GERMAN & SWEDISH
ITALIAN & SPANISH
JAPANESE
LAND SPEED RECORD CARS
VETERAN, CLASSIC & SPECIAL INTEREST CARS

DRIVER TRIBUTES:
THE OLD IRISH RACING HALL OF FAME
JUAN MANUEL FANGIO TRIBUTE
STIRLING MOSS TRIBUTE
WORLD DRIVER & CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONS 1950 - 1985

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