Car of the Day - Mercedes Benz 300 SLR Coupe

Car of the Day - Mercedes Benz 300 SLR Coupe

Mercedes Benz have built some very special cars throughout their history - in my opinion none are more special than this. In the running for the most beautiful car ever built, the Karl Wilfert designed 300 SLR “Uhlenhaut” has the performance to match its looks.

Essentially the Gullwing Coupe is a re- skinned 300 SLR race car using the same lighweight tube chassis and magnificent straight eight engine. The Grand Prix derived engine features direct fuel injection and a desmodromic valve system that eliminates valve springs. The three litre engine delivers 231 kw at 7400 rpm and even though the Coupe weights an additional 217 kg over the full race Roadster, it is still good for a 175 mph top speed.

Only two coupes were ever built and both have remained in Mercedes ownership all their life. Neither was ever raced, however one was given its legs often as the personal transport of Rudolf Uhlenhaut. His respected position within Mercedes offered him the opportunity to use one as his company car for a number of years. The sight of Uhlenhaut, who was an extremely capable driver blasting down the Autobahn would have been something to see. These days the cars lead a corseted life pampered by Mercedes engineers at the fantastic Mercedes Museum with occasional appearances on the show circuit.


Rod Halligan