Mercedes Post-War (102)Continuing with the history of Mercedes, this episode follows the automobile line into the post-World War II era.
Allied bombs completely destroyed the Mercedes-Benz company, but the Sindelfingen company that was doing the coachwork on the cars remained intact. In fall 1946, the company produced the first post-war car to come out of that facilty: the new model 170. In 1952, Mercedes-Benz introduced the 300 Sedan. Many components were used from the 300 Sedan and put straight into the racing version, the 300SL. The result was the Mercedes "Gullwing," the first Mercedes coupe to be introduced in the US before being introduced in Germany.
Mercedes Facts:
- Following World War II, Mercedes-Benz produced the model 170, which revived the company; however, their racing successes made them one of the leading automakers. Germany was banned from racing until 1950; in 1952, it re-entered the racing world with the introduction of the 300SL.
- In 1954 Max Hoffman, a Mercedes-Benz distributor in New York City, convinced the company to build a production version of its unbeatable race cars. The result was the 300SL "Gullwing."
- In 1954 the company entered Grand Prix racing, dominating the sport with the introduction of the W196.
- At the 24-hour Le Mans race in 1955, a 300SLR Mercedes crashed, killing 80 people; this prompted the company to withdraw from racing competitions out of respect for the victims.
Resources:
Mercedes-Benz 300Sl Racing Cars 1952-1953
by Karl Ludvigsen (to be published in June 2002)
The Mercedes-Benz Racing Cars
by Karl E. Ludvigsen
Classic Grand Prix Cars: The Front-Engined Formula One Era 1906-1960
by Karl Ludvigsen
Mercedes Benz Company
www.mercedes-benz.com
Mercedes-Benz Club of America Founded in 1956, MBCA has over 23,000 members across the U.S. and Canada. Eighty local chapters plan a variety of activities each month.
www.mbca.org
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