1956 Mercedes Benz 300SL

edited by David Barth, 22 February 2009.
Courtesy The Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum in Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Photos were taken in January 2009.

Sponsor: Stu Chase

During the early 1950s many of the cars developed in the Mercedes Benz competition programs were sold to the general public. Fully fifty percent of the 300SLs like this one were purchased by people who intended to race them. This model, introduced in 1954, had a tubular chassis and suspension system which were adapted successfully from racing cars, while the very construction practices and aerodynamic design of the interior reflected aviation invluences. This unusual and innovative “gull wing” configuration evolved because the “space frame” structure of the car did not provide suitable fixing points for a conventional door.

This green Gullwing was owned by Mr. Walter M. Halle who ordered the car with curved luggage which was fitted as an accessory by the Mercedes Benz factory.

Model: 300SL
Body Style: “Gullwing” coupe
Original Factory Price: $7,463
Brake Horsepower: 240
Displacement: 2,996 cubic centimeters (2.996 liters; 128.75 cubic inches)
Bore: 85mm (3.35 inches)
Stroke: 88mm (3.47 inches)
Cylinders: 6, in-line
Wheelbase: 94.5 inches
Acceleration: 0 to 100 mph in 17 seconds
Top Speed: 160 mph
Manufacturer: Daimler-Benz, AG
Location: Stuttgart, Germany

Donor: Mrs. Helen C. Halle in memory of Mr. Walter M. Halle