The Mercedes W194 300SL racing car was a recipe for failure, using heavy components from the S-Class luxury car.

And yet, in the summer of 1952, it took to the podium in the Mille Miglia, Bern Grand Prix, Le Mans, the Nürburgring, and then, that fall, the Carrera Panamericana, humiliating Porsches and Ferraris and everything else.

The 300SL became a legend in just a few months.

Convinced there was nothing left to win, Mercedes killed off the racing program, and the 300SL was set to be relegated to the history books.

Except that the brilliant Max Hoffman knew a legend when he saw it, and convinced Mercedes to make a roadgoing version. The W198 300SL was a barely modified version of the race car, with an even nicer, "Bordello on Wheels" interior and even more horsepower — thanks to the world's first direct-injected gasoline engine.

The 300SL's swing-axle rear suspension came straight from the S-Class, but was tuned for oversteer at the input of the talented race-car drivers who could control it. For less-skilled drivers, the 300SL's handling was fearsome — but those who survived were treated to what was unquestionably the best-driving sports GT of the 1950s. And of all time.

Only Mercedes, a company whose tagline is "The Best of Nothing" could start out with all the wrong parts and turn nothing into the best.

====

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for new videos every day! http://bit.ly/HagertyYouTube

Visit our website for daily automotive news, cars stories, reviews, and opinion: https://www.hagerty.com/media

Stay up to date by signing up for our email newsletters here: https://www.hagerty.com/media/newslet...


Follow us on social media:
Facebook |   / hagerty  
Instagram |   / hagerty  
Twitter |   / hagerty  

If you love cars, you belong with us. Hagerty Drivers Club is the world’s largest community for automotive enthusiasts. Members enjoy valuable automotive discounts, exclusive events and experiences, roadside service created specifically for collector vehicles, and a subscription to the bimonthly Hagerty Drivers Club magazine. Join Hagerty Drivers Club here: https://www.hagerty.com/drivers-club

Like what you see? Watch our other series including:
Redline Rebuilds | Time-lapse engine rebuilds from start to finish http://bit.ly/RedlineRebuild
Barn Find Hunter | Tom Cotter searches the country for abandoned cars http://bit.ly/BarnFIndHunter
Jason Cammisa on the Icons | The definitive car review
https://bit.ly/JasonCammisaICONS
Revelations | Untold Stories About Automotive Legends with Jason Cammisa
https://bit.ly/JasonCammisaRevelations

Contact us:
Suggest and feedback - [email protected]
Press inquiries - [email protected]
Partnership requests - [email protected]