VIN: the works Mercedes-Benz W196S 300 SLR chassis 0002/55
History of chassis 0002/55
Of the seven 300 SLRs originally built with Spider bodywork, chassis 0002/55 was the only example never to be raced. Instead, it served principally as Mercedes’ development mule.
The new car (registered AW 84 7984) was first spotted in early April as Mercedes conducted a series of tests on Italian soil to prepare for the Mille Miglia.
Stirling Moss and Karl Kling did most of the driving; they dished out severe punishment to the various 220 and 300 SL training cars as well as 0002/55.
In one famous incident during the intensive programme, Moss wrecked a 300 SL Gullwing when he collided with a lorry containing unexploded bombs. Meanwhile, Kling racked up an astonishing 30,000 miles as the entire loop from Brescia to Rome and back was covered on every training run.
Afterwards, 0002/55 was tested at Hockenheim. Mercedes also used it to perfect the innovative air break that broke cover at Le Mans.
Unfortunately, the 1955 race at la Sarthe was marred by Pierre Levegh’s accident in chassis 0006/55; Levegh ploughed into the back of Lance Macklin’s Austin-Healey which acted as a ramp and launched the Mercedes into the air.
The SLR skipped over a protective earth bank at 125mph and barrel rolled into the crowd. Levegh was thrown from the car and fatally fractured his skull. 83 spectators were killed in what remains motor racing’s most catastrophic crash.
Both the 300 SLR sister cars were withdrawn from the event and Mercedes announced they would quit motor racing at the end of the 1955 campaign.
0002/55 subsequently appeared as the T-car at the Dundrod Tourist Trophy and Targa Florio (rounds five and six of the World Sportscar Championship). The car had a particular bruising time in the build up to the season finale in Siciliy where it experienced several brushes with the unforgiving scenery.
Thanks to victory by Moss / Collins and Fangio’s second place on the Targa, Mercedes managed to secure the 1955 World Sportscar Championship by the slenderest of margins.
Afterwards, 0002/55 returned to the Mercedes factorr where it was refurbished.
It has remained in Mercedes’ possession ever since.
Notable History
Daimler-Benz AG
18/09/1955 WSC Dundrod Tourist Trophy (S. Moss) T-car (#T2)
16/10/1955 WSC Targa Florio (J.M. Fangio / K. Kling / D. Titterington) T-car (#-)
Retained by Daimler-Benz
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Mercedes-Benz - https://www.mercedes-benz.com
