Mercedes-Benz 300SL

Mercedes -Benz 300 SL ( 1954-1957 )

Mercedes -Benz W198 is the internal type name of a sports car from Mercedes -Benz. Under the sales designation Mercedes 300 SL was offered him in the years 1954 to 1957 as a coupe with gullwing doors and in the years 1957 to 1963 as a roadster.

The number 300 stands in the sales description of a tenth of the displacement measured in cubic centimeters, the additional designation SL is supposed to be short for " Sport Light ", other sources say " super light " as a long shape.

Mercedes -Benz presented the 300 SL in February 1954 at the International Motor Sports Show in New York. In 1999 the vehicle by readers of the German classic car magazine Motor Klassik was voted " Sports car of the century ".

Previous version in motorsport

The original 300 SL racing sports car Mercedes -Benz W 194, gained unexpected success in the 1952 's. In the previous year fell at Daimler- Benz AG, the decision in 1952 to again participate in races and for this purpose to build a sports car. This was called the " 300 Sport Light ". In order to achieve sufficient for racing performance, the existing engine of the sedan 300 ( Adenauer ) had to be further developed. Still equipped with carburetors, this contributed with 129 kW (175 hp) significantly less than the road version of 1954.

1952 took the vehicle to the important races of the year, in part, against much stronger opponents motorized. For the first time, the new SL had early May speed and reliability shown in the Mille Miglia and achieved in this long-distance race in second place. When the price of Bern succeeded the triple victory. The 24 - hour race at Le Mans finished the race car unexpectedly with a double victory. The winners were named Hermann Lang and Fritz Riess with an overall average of 155.575 km / h, a new record in the Le Mans history. Second was Theo Helfrich and Helmut Niedermayr. A race at the Nürburgring ended with a quadruple win. In the Carrera Panamericana in Mexico, the 300 SL won again with Karl Kling and Hans Klenk - despite a vulture flew through the windshield. This Mercedes -Benz continued the great successes in racing before the Second World War.

1953, among others, the fuel injection system was tested on prototypes.

Genesis of the series vehicle

Series production of the 300 SL was not initially planned. But Maximilian ( "Maxi " ) Hoffman, American importer of Mercedes- Benz vehicles, wanted by the board of Daimler -Benz for some time a sports car for its clientele. A basis for this can the racing sports coupe of 1952 be, that had a surprise win in the Carrera Panamericana and thus was known in the United States. After much weighing the decision was made for a series production of the 300 SL, the road version W 198 Moreover, the production of a smaller roadster, the Mercedes -Benz W 121 B II (190 SL ), if known.

No six months after the Board decision had the two sports car debut at the " International Motor Sports Show " in New York, which took place from 6 to 14 February 1954. Mercedes -Benz experienced at the motor show a tremendously positive response from visitors to the 300 SL and the 190 SL. The series began production in August 1954 at the Sindelfingen plant.

The price of the W 198 was set to 29,000 German marks - an enormous sum at that time and after today's purchasing power 69 753 euros. 1953 cost a Mercedes 170 Vb 7900 DM ( according to today's currency 18 679 euros ). The 300 SL was 1954 but not the most expensive cars in the Mercedes range - the W 188 cost ( with lower performance ) 5500 DM more.

The concept of the open two-seater 190 SL with easy -to-use weatherproof canopy was so successful that the 300 SL was modified accordingly. The legendary Gullwing ( Gullwing ) was replaced in the spring of 1957 by a roadster version ( W 198 II), which are now allowed open-top driving in the class of high -performance sports car.

100 -kilo weight decreased driving performance, but with unchanged 158 kW ( 215 hp ), the Roadster was a good engine. The tube frame remained on the Roadster supporting framework, however, changed significantly in the area of ​​the doors and the tail. To place was won for an (albeit modest ) trunk and doors on hinges normally fortified with significantly more comfortable entry. The rear axle was the single-joint swing axle with compensating spring, with the result of improved handling and increased comfort. 1961 airstream cooled drum duplex brakes were replaced by modern disc brakes.

The roof of the W 198 could be put under a separate flap behind the seats and was a few steps easy to use. His appearance was marked by the front recessed under a single cover glass headlights and turn signals. As a side eye-catching acted a bead, the deep to be pulled from the top of the air outlet in the fender into the door. For winter sports fans Mercedes- Benz delivered from the autumn of 1958 an elegant, easy aufzusetzendes hardtop. It was so popular that it was only a short time to the most optional equipment ordered later.

Sport Light and Super Light?

An official long form for the "SL " was not announced by Mercedes -Benz. It is often assumed that the letters for " Sport Light " are. The magazine auto, motor und sport reported in 2012, but without citing sources, that it is " securitized and signed by Rudolf Uhlenhaut personally " was that the "SL " means nothing more than " super light ". This statement is in contradiction to working closely with Uhlen skin resulting work " Mercedes -Benz 300 SL " by Engelen / Riedner / Seufert, indicating the long form with " Sport Light ".

The Group currently uses both spellings: In the published by the magazine Classic division " Mercedes -Benz Classic" the long form is specified with superlight. In the website of the same group division, however, it is said again Sport Light.

So what was the intention Daimler -Benz remains unclear at the time in the award of the letter combination had.

Body

The body of the W 198 was followed by a best possible aerodynamics. The distinctive gullwing doors were necessary because of the vehicle design. Only after the construction of the frame, the far reached up to the advantage of stability, noticed that conventional doors could not be used on the vehicle flanks due to this framework. This was the birth of the double doors at Mercedes. In English-speaking countries of the W 198 the nickname " Gullwing " was given because of its doors ( gull wing ). A discreet rod was difficult to swivel to open the doors from the body, unlocked the lock and let the two telescopic springs assisted door pivot upward.

The constructed by Rudolf Uhlenhaut grid frame made ​​of high stability with low weight. Very thin tubes were put together to form triangles, the final frame was extremely rigid; its elements have been claimed up to the front and rear crossmember only to pressure and train. In the series -SL the frame only 82 kg, the entire drivable car weighed including spare wheel, tools and fuel 1295 kg.

The body of the 300 SL was produced for the most part made ​​of high quality steel, the hood, the trunk lid, the sills and door skin but from aluminum. On request and for a relatively small fee was the entire body of light metal, whereby the vehicle was 80 kg lighter. But this version chose only 29 SL customers; Today, these specimens are sought accordingly.

A special vehicle in the SL- history was the 300 SL with chassis number 0011 / 52. It was developed for the 1953 racing season, but did not play because Mercedes -Benz decided, from 1954 back to Formula 1 participate. This was the " Plane " as the vehicle was also called by the test engineers because of its striking front end, to the intermediate model to the 1954 series presented 300 SL sports car ( W 198 I). The single piece, since 1952 continuously in business ownership and is now in the care of Mercedes -Benz Classic, already had the engine with gasoline direct injection and 16- inch wheels. His gear was mounted in a transaxle configuration, the bodywork was revised in favor of a smaller air resistance.

Technology

The technology of the 300 SL was based in part on the W 186 Saloon II (Type 300). The six-cylinder engine has been modified and received, among other things, instead of the carburetor gasoline direct injection, at the time and long after a technical specialty. The engine had an output of 158 kW ( 215 hp). This ensured the W 198, depending on the rear axle up to 260 km / h Five different translations were available. The series was adapted translation 1:3,64 and especially on high acceleration. It enabled a top speed of 235 km / h An even better acceleration offered the translations 1:3,89 and 1:4,11. The translation 1:3,42 offered a higher top speed, which was increased again to 260 km / h of the third translation of 1:3.25. However, this reduced the acceleration so that the car in city traffic was not as good to drive.

For the acceleration from 0 bis 100 km / h 10 seconds were needed. The consumption determined contemporary car tester with an average of around 15 liters of petrol. At the rear, a 100 -gallon tank was housed, for an additional charge there was also a 130 -liter version ( Roadster only with a 100- liter tank ).

In order for the engine in the flat car could be accommodated at all, he was inclined 45 degrees to the left (also a first for the series production ) - according to other data, however, is the " inclination of engine ... 50 ° to the vertical ." This location of the unit, the front passenger footwell decreased slightly. The center of gravity was almost exactly in the center of the vehicle. The suspension corresponded to that of the sedan type 300a substantially, but was sportier. The drum brakes initially used with cooling fins were designed for the sports-car performance; to reduce the pedal force a " Ate- Bremshelf " was called servo assistance system is used which exploited the vacuum in the intake manifold. The drum brakes on the front wheels had two leading brake shoes and bigger wheel brake cylinder. Only later, from 1961 onwards the 300 SL Roadster, disc brakes were used on all four wheels.

Interior

The interior of the 300 SL coupe was not luxurious. By default, was offered for the seat upholstery in four checkered patterns. The combinations of the primary colors were red / green, gray / green, gray / blue and gray / red. For all of checkered fabrics and a red -shifted to a yellow grid pattern was woven. However, most customers opted for leather covers which were later the Roadster as standard equipment. For the body metallic silver was the standard color; also like red, dark blue and black was ordered.

Going into the 300 SL requires practice due to the tight space and the wide side parts of the body. Thus, the legs can be threaded in the direction pedals easier the steering wheel in the steering wheel can be folded with the lower part headed toward the dashboard forward, whereby the upper part protruded into the passenger compartment for the coupé. The folding process also requires to park the car in a certain steering wheel position ( straight or full turns ). In side view, hence it was only on an imaginary line from the pedals to the head of the driver.

In the main view of the driver are left of the tachometer and the speedometer on the right. Among these instruments are two additional instruments. The timer is located slightly to the right in the middle of the dashboard. The rear view mirror is mounted on the dashboard.

Behind the front seats, an additional storage space for luggage is the Gullwing present, since the volume of the trunk is limited. In this there is the spare tire, the vehicle tank and the filler neck.

Due to the non- retractable side windows, the interior of the gullwing in the summer heats up strong and can not be adequately cooled by the vehicle ventilation.

Press reports

The contemporary press spoke highly of the 300 SL.

• Autosport said: " The 300 SL is a car with a beautiful appearance, coupled with an almost incredible performance. Its design and its production quality are downright excellent, the whole concept represents an uncompromising realization of all the new ideas dar. "
• Road & Track wrote after the first test: "If a comfortable interior is consistent with a remarkably good driveability, with uncanny wheel grip, a smooth and precise steering and a power that comes close to the best known cars and they even able to excel, only one thing remains to say. , the sports car of the future has become a reality "
• Auto Motor und Sport stated: "Among the sports cars of our time, the Mercedes 300 SL is the most refined and at the same time the most fascinating - a dream of an automobile. "

Production

The first W 198 in 1954 initially sold in Europe. In March 1955, the first car was exported to the United States. A total of 1400 Gullwing were built. The majority, about 1100 pieces, came to America.

Due to the special needs of customers in the U.S. ( something more comfortable, bigger trunk and often a convertible ) was produced from 1957, the 300 SL Roadster ( W 198 II). From this model, a total of 1858 units were produced.

Purchaser of the vehicle

Buying a Mercedes W 198 was feasible because of its high price just for a few people. Among the known buyers of new cars of the 300 SL included, among other things, Juan Perón, Stavros Niarchos, Porfirio Rubirosa, Rob Walker, Juan Manuel Fangio, Herbert von Karajan, Tony Curtis, Henri Nannen, Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Romy Schneider, Clark Gable, Curd Jürgens, Gunter Sachs, Glenn Ford, Horst Buchholz, Syd Mead and Willi Tom Thumb.

Race and rally victories

The racing sports base of the 300 SL tempted renowned pilots and private drivers all over the world to participate in sports car races and rallies. In the 1955 Mille Miglia drove Fitch / Gendebein with the SL series, next to the magnificent victory of Stirling Moss at the 300 SLR racing sports car, a sovereign class victory. Werner Engel was in 1955 with the 300 SL European Touring Car Champion, 1956 Walter shock. The cross-country rally Liège- Rome -Liège won 1955 Olivier Gendebien and 1956 Willy Mairesse. After the production of the coupe was discontinued in 1956, 1957, the successor to the 300 SL roadster on the market. In the USA, Paul O'Shea was established in 1957 with the Roadster, the racing department in Stuttgart built for use in the U.S., champion in the racing category Class D was announced by Sports Car Club of America Sports Car Championship before Caroll Shelby Maserati. Use in the Production Class 1957 was not yet possible because of the just-started series production. The two roadsters used by Paul O'Shea were designated as 300 SLS.

Specifications

The data presented describe the Mercedes -Benz 300 SL W 198 I, ( 1954 to 1957, Gullwing coupe ). The deviating data of the Mercedes -Benz W 198 II (1957 to 1963 Roadster ) are in brackets and italics.

General data

• Wheelbase: 2400 mm
• Track front / rear: 1385/1435 mm (1398/1448 mm)
• Dimensions L × W × H: 4520 × 1790 × 1300 mm ( 4570 × 1790 × 1300)
• Turning circle: 11.5 m
• Car weight: 1295 kg ( ready to drive) ( 1420 kg )
• Gross vehicle weight: 1515 kg ( 1560 kg )
• Maximum speed: 208 km / h to 260 km / h, depending on the rear axle ( 220 to 260 km / h)
• Acceleration 0-100 km / h: 10 s
• Consumption according to DIN: 9,5 l
• Fuel tank: 100 l ( 130 l surcharge), (100 l), 9 l reserve

Motor

• M 198 six-cylinder ( as of March 1962, M 198 III with alloy block; 209 pieces)
• Displacement: 2996 cm ³
• Bore × stroke: 85 × 88 mm
• Power: 215 hp at 5800 rpm (240 hp at 6000 rpm with a sports camshaft)
• Torque: 275 Nm (28 kgm ) at 4600 rpm
• Compression ratio: 8,55:1
• Fuel system: direct injection with mechanically controlled six-plunger injection pump
• Valves: two valves per cylinder, actuated by a single overhead camshaft via rocker arms, driven by duplex roller chain
• Lubrication: Dry sump lubrication

Power transmission

• Single-plate dry clutch
• 4 -speed manual transmission; Translation: I 3.34, II 1.97, III. 1.39, IV 1.00, R 2.73
• Final drive: Selectable 3.64, 3.25, 3.42, 3.89 or 4.11
• Drive on rear wheels

Suspension / Steering / Brakes

• Tubular steel space frame, steel or light metal body (only 29 pieces )
• Recirculating ball steering
• Suspension: front and rear coil springs and telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers
• Brakes: hydraulic acting with vacuum brake booster, on the front and rear wheels, drum brakes Duplex front / rear ( as of March 1961: Dunlop disc brakes front / rear); mechanical hand-operated parking brake acting on rear wheels

Front

• Double wishbones, torsion bar stabilizer

Rear axle

• Pendulum - swing axle ( single-joint swing axle with compensating spring )

Wheels and tires

• Wheels: Pressed steel disc wheels 5K × 15, with Rudgefelge 5J x 15 in stock ( 5 × 15 1/2K )
• Tires: 6.50-15 supercar, 185VR15

Replicas

The Mercedes -Benz 300 SL was always popular with manufacturers of replicas. This Mercedes -Benz has made the exact replica of the 300 SL prohibit court, because the shape of the vehicle is protected. So it was from Germany, the models Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing and Mercedes 300 SL Roadster from the Bavarian home Scheib. Scheib built its first two models on its own chassis frame. The technique, however, was taken over by the E 300 Mercedes -Benz. From Switzerland, there were replicas Gullwing Gullwing and Roadster. They have a built on a tube frame composite body, which is composed of a layer of aluminum, epoxy resin and glass wool. As motorization were two different 6-cylinder versions to choose from. The beginner version presented here is the E 300 Single Cam with an output of 132 kW (180 hp). As a top engine, however, the E 320 Twin Cam was used, which develops 165 kW ( 225 hp).

In the U.S., the Gullwing of the H -Wing engine will be assembled for the local market under the name of turnkey Gullwing. The company made, inter alia, the concept vehicle Gullwing Americana attention to himself, which stylistically oriented very to the 300 SL.