1/18 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, No.701, Mille Miglia 1955, Karl Kling

1/18 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, No.701, Mille Miglia 1955, Karl Kling

Karl Kling drove without a co-pilote. His car was equiped with a metal cover over the co-pilotes seat

Stone guard in front of the wind shield

Three-spoke steering wheel. The interior is outfitted in leather, and the seats are covered with textile fabric. The swing-up driver`s door provides ease for entry, but there is no such "luxury of convenience" for the co-pilot

Removable front and rear spare wheels in different sizes

Spoked-wheels on aluminium rims. Each stainless-steel spoke is mounted with a single nipple

The wheels can be removed by a three-winged locking nut

Authentic replication of the cockpit air ventilation, wind shield and rear view mirror

Realistic presentation of the original dashboard with all its instruments and control elements

The headrest dome connects with the hatch. It can be flipped up as one single unit to gain access to the spare wheels. The engine hood has a tent prop

A tank-access flap is integrated in the drivers`s headrest dome. The filler neck underneath is equipped with a removable tank cap make of stainless steel

The front-right engine hood fitted with a filigree grill for the cooler and engine air-inlet duct

Highly detailed 8-cylinder in-line-engine installed in angular position and complete with all pipes and cabeling

The sidepipes are made of stainless steel

Front wheel suspension with inside drum brakes

Space-frame with tank, wheel suspension, console for the spare wheels and electric fuel pumps

Description of the original vehicle:

In 1955 Mercedes-Benz introduced its 300 SLR for the first time at the Mille Miglia. Among its strongest competitors were Ferrari, Maserati, and Aston Martin. Every minute a competing car got its starting clearance. Since 1949 the starting order had been decided by lot so that each starting number was a record of the starting time.

At 7:01 on the morning of May 1, 1955, the 300 SLR with starting number 701 (starting number = starting time) left the launch pad in Brescia, with Karl Kling behind its wheel to attempt the 22nd championship of the 1,600 km-long Mille Miglia.

After the turning point in Rome, bad luck struck: Karl Kling had to swerve sharply to avoid a spectator who was crossing the road carelessly. His SLR crashed into the roadside ditch, and it was badly damaged. Miraculously Kling was uninjured, but there was no way for him to continue the race.

The outcome of this race became world-famous and went down in racing history subsequently. Stirling Moss turned out to be the triumphant winner.

Technical data of the original vehicle:

8-cylinder in-line engine (installed in a 33° inclination to the right side)

Direct fuel injection

Desmodromic valve control (positively controlled valves)

Underbody: wishbone in the front, single hinged swing axle in the rear

Maximum output:310 hp at 7,500 rmp

Displacement:2,982 ccm

Top speed:approx. 300 km/h

Wheel base:2,350 mm

Total length:4,315 mm