VIN: Gullwing Production Mule - Mercedes-Benz W194 300 SL 00011/52
History of chassis 00011/52
Chassis 00011/52 was a uniquely configured W194 300SL that served as a development mule for the subsequent W198 300 SL ‘Gullwing’ production car.
Assembled over the winter of 1952-1953, the remit for this eleventh and final W194 was increased engine output, reduced fuel consumption, improved aerodynamics, less weight and superior handling.
With this in mind, chassis 00011 was equipped with a 215bhp fuel-injected as opposed to 175bhp carb-fed engine. Three of these new Type M198 engines were built up for assessment, two of which also featured a light-alloy crankcase.
The car’s drag coefficient was bettered thanks to a more efficient body shape with smaller frontal area and narrower track.
Weight was cut (by 75kg) and handling improved thanks to a shortened wheelbase (reduced from 2400mm to 2300mm). Mercedes also installed a single-joint swing axle with a low pivot point and tension / compression strut on each side as opposed to the previous two-joint swing axle which offered comparatively poor track and camber stability.
Sometimes dubbed the 300 SL/53, only one such car ever got produced and it was used extensively for research and development, after which Mercedes retained it for promotional use.
Chassis 00011/52 remains part of the Mercedes-Benz heritage collection to this day.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Mercedes-Benz - https://www.mercedes-benz.com
