Aerial view of a 1958, Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, on display on the Bob Forstner Stand, at the 2020 London Classic Car Show
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (chassis code W 198) was a two-seat sports car produced by Mercedes-Benz as a gullwinged coupe (1954-1957) and roadster (1957-1963). It was based on the company's 1952 racer, the W194, with mechanical direct fuel-injection which boosted power almost 50% on its 3-litre overhead camshaft straight-6 engine.[3] Capable of reaching a top speed of up to 263 km/h (163 mph), it was both a sports car racing champion and the fastest production car of its time. The 300 SL was inspired by Max Hoffman, Mercedes-Benz's authorized United States importer at the time, who correctly perceived a large American market for such a car. The company introduced the 300 SL in February 1954 at the International Motor Sports Show in New York instead of in Europe in order to get it into buyers' hands sooner. SL is the short form for "super-light" in German,[ Mercedes' first use of the designation, referring to the car's racing-bred light tubular frame construction. The 300 SL was voted the "sports car of the century" in 300 SL has a weight-saving tubular frame atop a steel chassis, with a steel body attached to the frame. To further reduce weight, its bonnet, doors, dashboard and boot lid were made of aluminum. An additional 80 kilograms (176 pounds) could be eliminated with an extremely expensive all-aluminium body, but only 29 were maximum speed of the 300 SL is 263 km/h (163 mph), and depending on the rear axle ratio fuel consumption was 17 L/100 km (17 mpg‑imp; 14 mpg‑US). Interior. Three checkered pattern seats fabrics were available as standard. The combinations of the basic colours were, grey/green, grey/blue and cream/red. Most customers opted for leather upholstery, which became standard on the Roadster. Even with the upward opening doors the Coupe has an unusually high sill, making entry and exit from the car's cockpit problematic.
Size: 5616px × 2846px
Location: Olympia Exhibition Centre, West Kensington, London, W14 United Kingdom
Photo credit: © John Gaffen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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