VIN: the works Mercedes-Benz W194 300 SL chassis 00010/52
History of chassis 00010/52
Chassis 00010/52 was the only W194 300 SL originally built as a Spyder. The other four Spyders were all converted from cars initially built as Gullwings.
Mercedes originally created ten W198s, eight of which were raced during the 1952 season. At the end of the year, an eleventh W194 was constructed to serve as a development mule for the forthcoming W198 300 SL production model.
Uniquely, chassis 10 was built with a 2200mm wheelbase whereas the other W198s all had a 2400mm wheelbase.
Chassis 10’s one and only competition appearance came at the ten lap German Formula 1 Grand Prix support race which took place at the daunting Nurburgring circuit on August 3rd. It was allocated to Mercedes number one driver, Karl Kling, and painted silver with black front fender flashes.
Kling qualified on pole with team-mate Hermann Lang in second. Robert Manzon’s works Gordini T15S lined up in third while fellow Mercedes drivers Fritz Riess and Theo Helfrich were fourth and fifth respectively.
When the flag dropped, the four Mercedes streaked into the lead chased by Manzon’s Gordini. However, when Manzon retired with a broken gear lever, the race turned into a Mercedes benefit.
After nearly two hours behind the wheel, it was Lang that took the win (he also posted fastest lap). Kling was second in chassis 10, Riess was third and Helfrich fourth.
Chassis 10 did not race again and was reputedly destroyed in a testing accident a short time later.
Notable History
Daimler Benz
Registered W59 4029
Silver with Black flashes
03/08/1952 IND German GP Support Race, Nurburgring (K. Kling) 2nd oa, 2nd S3.0 class (#24)
Reputedly destroyed in a testing accident
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Mercedes-Benz - https://www.mercedes-benz.com
