Mercedes 300 SL #20 Blue Grand Prix of Bern 1952 Limited to 1500 pieces Worldwide 1/18 Diecast Model Car by CMC

Listing description

ST_SEAL_HTML_END In 1952, Mercedes-Benz staged a comeback to motor sports racing with the newly-developed Type 300SL (W194). Featuring an unusual entry through a gull-wing door that opens from the lower edge of the side window and swivels upward around the centerpiece of the roof top, this streamlined sports car immediately cast a spell on the racing enthusiasts.; After a successful debut at the Mille Miglia, the 300SL moved on to the renewed competition of sports car racing at the Grand Prix of Bern on May 18th, 1952.; The three officially registered 300SL's were decked out in uncommonly colorful finishes, in-cluding dark red (Rudolf Caracciola, #16), green (Karl Kling, #18), and blue (Hermann Lang, #20), not to mention the silver-colored finish of the replacement car with Fritz Riess (#22) at its wheel. The team was ready to engage the rivals from Ferrari, Lancia, Aston Martin and Jaguar. At the end of the race, Mercedes-Benz celebrated a spectacular triple-victory, with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd places clinched by Karl Kling, Hermann Lang and Fritz Rieß respectively. The joy of victory, however, was tempered because a tragic accident had happened to Rudolf Caracciola when he veered off the track on a stalled front brake and crashed into a tree in Round 13. He was taken to hospital with a broken femur and other injuries.; His recovery was long, and the bone fracture plus a knee surgery caused lasting impairment to his right leg, which put an end to Caracciola's racing career.; Dimensions approximately L-10.5, W-4.5, H-3.5 inches.; Technical data of the original vehicle:; 6-cylinder in-line-engine, overhead camshaft, Fuel supply:; injection pump, Transmission: 4-speed synchromeshed.; Maximum output: 177 hp at 5,400 rpm; Displacement: 3,100 ccm; Top speed: 257 km/h; Wheel base: 2,400 mm; Track front: 1,330 mm; Track rear: 1,445 mm;