In 1951, Mercedes-Benz’s successful return to the automotive industry in the post-war years was marked by two passenger cars in the form of the Mercedes-Benz 300 (W 186) and 220 (W 187). From April 19-29, 1951, then Daimler-Benz AG launched two new models at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt. Prior to this special occasion, the company had been manufacturing pre-war vehicles that had only minor … [Read more...]
Don Ricardo – Racer and Avid Gullwing Collector
Rene Dreyfus, great Pre WWII Grand Prix champion and world-class restaurateur, famously entitled his autobiography My Two Lives. The late Don Ricardo could have just as appropriately employed this same title for his most interesting life story. Although his background includes activities from semipro basketball to tool and die making, the Two Lives he is most known for are big band leader, and … [Read more...]
Happy Anniversary, Honey! 1958 Mercedes-Benz 180D
Stewart Reed is an American transportation designer of some note. He’s designed several significant cars, including one for dune buggy pioneer Bruce Meyers plus a Bugatti for noted art deco and French Curves mega collector Peter Mullin. He still maintains a personal design consultancy for special projects, but his main gig now is Chairman of the Transportation Design program at Art Center (College of … [Read more...]
Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR – The Glorious Return to Top Tier Racing
Despite constantly pushing boundaries and creating dozens of fast and revolutionary models since its inception, Mercedes-Benz had long been reluctant to build a true supercar. It all changed in 1997 with the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR. Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Created out of pure necessity rather than passion or prestige, this atypical Mercedes-Benz announced the marque’s glorious return to top tier sports car … [Read more...]
Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series Smashes the Lap Record around the Nürburgring
GT3 racer Maro Engel has created history behind the wheel of the new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series by breaking the overall lap record for production cars around the Nurburgring-Nordschleife. Engel was able to achieve an official and notarized certified time of 6:43.616 minutes for the 20.6km-long track, an amazing 1.354 seconds faster than the previous record-holder, the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ. On the … [Read more...]
Fascinating Behind the Scenes Photos of a Mercedes 300SL Restoration
Thornley Kelham, an award-winning classic and vintage car specialist, has recently unveiled a full transformation of a rare Mercedes 300SL that was owned by a critical, but very knowledgeable, owner. Before leaving the 300SL in their care, the owner’s instructions were quite simple: it had to be period-correct, perfect, and the finish can be in anything except silver. In 1952, Mercedes-Benz decided to … [Read more...]