The father of the 300 SL was chief engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut, who had been with Mercedes since the 1930s. He played a major role in the development of Mercedes-Benz vehicles after the Second World War. Uhlenhaut was a multi-talent, which was manifested, among other things, in the fact that he was as fast on the racetrack as Formula 1 drivers. The tubular spaceframe was his idea.
legend - the creation of an icon
FROM RACING CAR TO STREET SPORTSCAR
The 300 SL (W198 I) is special in many ways and this is based on many constructive details: on the one hand it was the tubular frame, on the other hand the gullwing door concept and finally the first engine with direct petrol injection. Rudolf Uhlenhaut was primarily responsible for the overall design of this extraordinary vehicle. The uniqueness of the engine and the direct petrol injection go back to the research work of Hans Scherenberg. What few know: The designer of the 300 SL was Friederich Geiger.
So, it was the mixture of the ability and knowledge of the three designers and engineers that made this car of the century what it is.
THE BIRTH OF THE 300 SL
ENGINE AND TECHNOLOGY BUILT AROUND THE ULTRA LIGHT TUBULAR SPACEFRAME
CAR HISTORY
BIRTH OF A LEGEND
FROM RACING CAR TO STREET SPORTSCAR
Victories in the five greatest racing events in 1952 are even today seen as one of the greatest successes for a automobile manufacturer in racing history. Orders flowed in from all over the world and the decision was made to go into production with the car. The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL was presented to the world on February 6, 1954.
300 SL ROADSTER
FROM RACE CAR WITH ROAD APPROVAL TO SPORTY ROADSTER
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300 SL ROADSTER
FROM RACE CAR WITH ROAD APPROVAL TO SPORTY ROADSTER
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300 SL ROADSTER
FROM RACE CAR WITH ROAD APPROVAL TO SPORTY ROADSTER
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BORN AS A GULLWING COUPÉ
The Mercedes Benz 300 SL was born, so to speak, as a Gullwing coupé. As early as the end of 1954 it was clear to the Board of Directors of Daimler Benz that an open or convertible version of the car was a requirement of the market in the USA.
PROTOTYPES
By the end of October 1955, the first prototype of the 300 SL Roadster was produced by the Sindelfinger works of Daimler Benz. This first prototype of five prototypes in total was finished in light blue metallic paint, had a dark blue interior and carried the registration plate W27-4603.
PROTOTYPES
BORN AS A GULLWING COUPÉ
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PROTOTYPES
BORN AS A GULLWING COUPÉ
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BIRTH + PRODUCTION
The father of the 300 SL and, thus, the Roadster, can certainly be said to have been Rudolf Uhlenhaut. The designer responsibility for the design of both cars was Friedrich Geiger the then Development Department Manager.
RACES
Internationally, not only was the 300 SL W194 sensationally successful, but also its successor the W198, the 300 SL production car, also achieved notable successes. In it’s time it was the fastest GT car by some margin. Its greatest success was in 1955 at the Mille Miglia, as John Fitch won in the sportscar class and was placed 5th overall.
Two special Roadsters were built for the 1957 USA racing season (300 SLS) in one of which Paul O´Shea won the American Sportscar Championship by a wide margin.
