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The most expensive Mercedes-Benz classic vehicle ever made, one of only two 300 SLR coupes. Supercar Blondie was able to drive and tour the 300 SLR Coupe, which was originally built for racing. Unfortunately, the 300 SLR Coupe did not make it to the racetracks in the 1950s. However, if it had, it would have continued the roadster’s unmatched winning streak. Rudolf Uhlenhaut, Mercedes-Benz’s head of motorsport, kept a 300 SLR Coupe as his personal car.
The Mercedes-Benz 300SLR is most famous for being the first roofless roadster to dominate road racing in the 1950s. The 1955 Mille Miglia was won by the car with Sir Stirling Moss as its driver. Moss and the 300 SLR set an all-time record for average speed during the race. They ran the race at 97.96 mph (157.650 km/h), covering the 900 miles up the Italian peninsula.
Unfortunately, the tragedy of 1955’s Le Mans Race was a major factor in the racing failure of the 300 SLR. A private team was driving a 300 SLR when it collided with an Austin-Healey in the pit straight. The Jaguar trying to pit slowed the car. Over 180 spectators were injured and 83 people died when debris landed in the stands. Due to the high magnesium content in the 300 SLR’s bodywork, fires started to erupt and the 300 SLR teams were forced to withdraw from the race.
This terrible incident occurred just as Mercedes-Benz decided to stop participating in motorsports. The 300 SLR coupe project was ended, and only two test mules were made. Rudolf Uhlenhaut daily drove the second daily as a daily commuter, while one sat. These machines are still kept in Mercedes-Benz’s private collection today.