GOAT Episode 7: The birth of the supercar – 300SL

Seriously, look at this thing – LOOK AT IT! This is art. This is aluminium and steel that have been bent into shape to form the industrial revolution’s equivalent of Michelangelo’s David. The Mercedes-Benz 300SL is among the most beautiful machines to have ever rolled down the asphalt. 

But it is not all about how beautiful this car is – no no no. The 300SL is probably the world’s first production supercar. You heard that right.

 This is iconic.

Track first, road later

In 1952, Mercedes-Benz needed a track-star to go up against the Alfas and the Ferraris of the time. And Chief Race Engineer, Rudolf Uhlenhaut, did just that.

Rudolf and his team put together a light rigid tubular chassis, wrapped so high around the car that it would create a pair of doors, which would become synonymous with the 300SL: the roof hinged gullwing doors. 

The rest of the body work was made from aluminium to keep the weight down (‘cos race car).

To power the light frame, the team borrowed a 3.0L inline-6 engine from the 300 sedan along with the 4-speed transmission and suspension bits. 

In an age of carburated engines, Mercedes-Benz implemented direct fuel injection for the first time ever. It even had a dry-sump lubrication system that would keep the engine well-oiled under hard cornering.

 The result was a staggering 220hp, which was huge for a car in the 1950s. It would do 0-60mph in just 7 seconds. And in a time when cars struggled to come close to a 100 miles an hour, the 300SL would go on to do 160mph.

The 300SL took home some big wins for Mercedes-Benz at Mille Miglia, Le Mans, Carrera Pan-Americana and others.

But let’s remember that this was not a production car – yet.

That is until Max Hoffman, an importer of luxury cars in the United States of ‘Murica, convinced the big boys over at corporate to make a few of them for wealthy gearheads. Mercedes-Benz agreed and the 300SL was unveiled to the public in the New York Auto Show.

Mercedes-Benz would even go on to build a roaster version of the car to compliment the coupe. 

Celebrity 300SL “Gullwing” faces

There were way too many famous faces for this one.

From formula one gurus like Juan Manuel Fangio and Bernie Ecclestone to the Painter, Pablo Picasso. They’ve all loved opening doors that go upwards. 

Of course Jay Leno’s got one. And Canada’s favourite son, Justin Trudeau.

This is a beautiful machine. It is exciting just to look at. It gets the blood pumping. #iwantone, but let’s not kid ourselves.

Rayan’s rides would sell you a LS powered (YEAH BABY, LS SWAP EVERYTHING) replica for an eye watering 650,000 AED. 

I do not wish to know how much an all original one would cost.