CMC Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (W194) Panamericana, 1952

A Dream Coming True for Mercedes Fans and Motorsport Enthusiasts

For Alfred Neubauer, the head of the Mercedes-Benz racing department, only one victory was missing – winning the Carrera Panamericana, a long-distance race in Latin America.  With four competition cars and a team of 35 service people, the crew flew to Mexico in November 1952.

The engine displacement of the 300 SL had been increased to 3.1 liters, producing 177 hp.  Kling’s car collided with a vulture 50 km ahead of the finish, which broke the windshield.  The windshield was then protected by a metal grid, and Kling, in car No. 4, took first place.  Hermann Lang in car No. 3, also a Mercedes 300 SL, finished in second place.

TECHNICAL DATA OF THE ORIGINAL VEHICLE:

6-cylinder in-line-engine, overhead camshaft, Fuel supply: 
injection pump, Transmission: 4-speed synchromeshed.