VIN: the works Mercedes-Benz W198 300 SL Gullwing chassis 198.040.4500019
History of chassis 198.040.4500019
Chassis 198.040.4500019 was an early 300 SL Gullwing retained by Mercedes-Benz for promotional use.
Configured in Silver Grey with Grey and Blue plaid cloth seats and matching Blue carpet, the car was subsequently registered W83 7004.
Between Thursday 7th and Sunday 10th of October 1954, chassis ‘19’ saw action at the Montlhery circuit where Juan Manuel Fangio and Karl Kling demonstrated the Gullwing’s capabilities to members of the press. Across town, the Paris Motor Show was taking place and, from Monday 11th, chassis ‘19’ took its place on the Mercedes’ stand (replacing a W196 Formula 1 car which had been on display during the four days prior).
Between October 10th and 20th, chassis ‘19’ was then displayed at the London Motor Show. Ownership was transferred to Mercedes-Benz GB and, following UK registration that same month (on the plate PLB 23) the car carried out press duties in Britain.
During the spring of 1955, chassis ‘19’ was loaned to Autocar magazine for a road test that appeared in the March 25th edition of the magazine. They wrote:
"For a passenger who has not travelled in the 300SL before the effect is electrifying....(the passenger) receives at first a mild pressing back into the seat, and then, as the power comes in between 3,500 and 4,000rpm, he feels as though he is being rocketed through space. Up to 70mph is available in second gear...in the indirect gears, and indeed in top, the acceleration of this unusual car is indeed remarkable. Gradients, of course, have no meaning except to add to the exhilaration of driving the car...hump-back bridges have to be treated with real respect, as it is only by keeping a wary eye on the instruments that the driver is really sure at what speed he is travelling..."
During April 1955, chassis ‘19’ was used by Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson during their preparation for the Mille Miglia which was to be the debut event for the legendary W196S 300 SLR.
Following its return from Italy, chassis ‘19’ was sold to HW Motors Ltd. of Walton-on-Thames and then on to Peter Woozley who occasionally used the car in club level competition during the second half of the 1950s.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Mercedes-Benz - https://www.mercedes-benz.com
