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| 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 LeMans 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| Mercedes Benz W196: On the tighter circuits such as Monoco, the W196 was an open wheel car. 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: Stirling can't resist a 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 his teammate. Moss won the next race at the British GP by the narrow margin of .02 seconds. Did Fangio let him win? Model by CMC 1/18 |
Mercedes Benz W196 STR: This is the toy that started my love for race cars and these cars in particular. Well played with, it is soon due to undergo a restoration and will be given to a young boy I know to start his love for cars. Model by DINKY 1/43 |
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| Mercedes Benz 300SLR: Developed for sports car racing, the 300SLR was based on the W196 F1 car. 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 LeMans also featured an air brake to provide additional stopping power to the big inboard drum brakes. Model by PAUL'S MODEL ART 1/24 |
Mercedes Benz 300SLR: Fangio and Moss drove this car at LeMans 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. Model by PAUL'S MODEL ART 1/24 |
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| Mercedes Benz 300SLR: Another version of the Fangio/Moss car from Le Mans in 1955. Model by SCALECTRIC 1/32 |
Mercedes Benz 300SLR: To lower its overall weight, the 300SLR used a spaceframe chassis and magnesium-alloy (Elektron) bodywork. Stirling and Fangio look ready to race their LeMans car once again! Model by MINICHAMPS 1/43 |
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| Mercedes Benz 300SLR: Stirling Moss brought greater success to Mercedes with an outstanding win at the 1955 Mille Miglia. With co-driver Denis Jenkinson, they drove the 1,000 mile race at an average of 98 mph! Model by MAISTO 1/18 |
Mercedes Benz 300SLR: 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. Model by MINICHAMPS 1/43 |
Mercedes Benz 300SLR: 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! Model by SCALEXTRIC 1/32 |
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| Mercedes Benz 300SLR 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 300SLR: Moss and John Fitch drove their 300SLR to victory at the Dundrod Tourist Trophy in 1955. Fangio's car came in second. Coming soon, the Moss/Fitch car, model modified by Old Irish Racing. Model by MAISTO 1/18 |
Mercedes Benz 300SLR: 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 BRUMM 1/43 |
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| "Sicilian Magic": This print is of Stirling Moss at the 1955 Targa Florio, passing through the village of Campofelice. Not the pounding the car has taken. This is one of my favorite prints in my collection. Print by NICHOLAS WATTS |
1952 Mercedes Benz 300SL: The original 300SL was a purpose built race car and is the spiritual father of the 300SLR. This car took second place at LeMans 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 300SL demonstrated that Mercedes could produce a world beating sports racing car, which ultimately led to the 300SLR. Model by CONRAD 1/43 |
Mercedes Benz TRANSPORTER: 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 |
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